The Meghalaya government has ruled out the possibility of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the mysterious case of Indore couple Raja and Sonam Raghuwanshi. Raja's body was found brutally murdered in Shillong on June 2, 2025, while his wife, Sonam, remains missing, leaving the family and the public in deep distress. Despite growing calls from the Raghuwanshi family and widespread concern, Meghalaya's Tourism Minister, Paul Lyngdoh, stated that a CBI investigation is not deemed necessary at this stage and affirmed confidence in the ongoing investigation by the state police and a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Minister Lyngdoh, speaking on the matter, emphasized that the Meghalaya Police is actively conducting the investigation in close coordination with the SIT. He clarified, "A CBI investigation does not seem necessary at this stage," but added that the government would reconsider this decision if the current investigation fails to yield satisfactory results. The Minister's statement has been met with mixed reactions, particularly from the Raghuwanshi family, who have voiced concerns about the pace and progress of the local investigation.
Raja (28) and Sonam (25) Raghuwanshi, newlyweds from Indore, had gone on their honeymoon to Shillong on May 20, 2025. However, the couple went missing on May 23 under suspicious circumstances. Raja's body was discovered on June 2 in a deep gorge near Weisawdong, with signs of assault and a weapon found nearby. The police have since registered a murder case, and their investigation is ongoing. However, the whereabouts of Sonam remain unknown, fueling fears of abduction among her family members.
The Raghuwanshi family, desperate for answers, has made extensive efforts in the past few days to secure a CBI investigation into the case. Family members met with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, requesting their intervention and support for a higher-level probe. The family has consistently expressed dissatisfaction with the initial response from the local police in Shillong, citing a lack of cooperation and urgency in the early stages of the investigation.
The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, had also spoken with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, urging for central intervention. However, despite these high-level discussions, the Raghuwanshi family's request for a CBI inquiry remains unfulfilled, and the investigation is still under the jurisdiction of the state police and SIT.
In response to the growing concerns, the Meghalaya government has continued to stand firm on its position, asserting that the SIT, formed specifically to handle this case, is capable of bringing the investigation to a resolution. The government has maintained that they will only consider a CBI investigation if the current efforts fail to uncover the truth or bring about any tangible progress.
Despite the state government’s position, the Raghuwanshi family has remained vocal about their demands, raising questions about the adequacy of the current investigation. They continue to call for justice for Raja and Sonam, citing the troubling circumstances of the case and the emotional toll it has taken on their family. The family's plea for a CBI inquiry has resonated with many, with widespread calls for a thorough, impartial investigation, especially in light of the mysterious nature of the couple’s disappearance and the subsequent discovery of Raja's body.
As the investigation continues, the local authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the couple's disappearance, and the search for Sonam remains ongoing. For now, the Meghalaya government maintains its confidence in the abilities of the SIT and state police to resolve this harrowing case. However, the family's frustration continues to grow, and they are determined to seek justice, irrespective of the hurdles ahead.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the safety of tourists in Meghalaya and the efficiency of the investigation processes when such tragic events occur.
The Raghuwanshi family's continued calls for a CBI inquiry highlight the emotional strain they are enduring, and the mounting pressure on the Meghalaya government to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
