&w=3840&q=100)
Sonam Raghuvanshi called ‘Sanjay Verma' more than 200 times in 3 weeks: Who is he?
During the investigation, police discovered that Sonam Raghuvanshi was in frequent contact with a man called 'Sanjay Verma' in the days leading up to her husband Raja Raghuvanshi's murder. Between March 1 and April 8, Sonam reportedly made more than 200 calls to Verma, each lasting at least 30 minutes. The move raised red flags, but now police say they've cracked the mystery read more
Indore couple missing in Meghalaya: Sonam Raghuvanshi — wife of the deceased Raja Raghuvanshi — along with three men accused of being contract killers hired to murder her husband during their honeymoon. Image courtesy: X
As the investigation into the murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya continues, police have uncovered a new lead involving a man saved in Sonam Raghuvanshi's phone as 'Sanjay Verma.'
Sources say Sonam was in frequent contact with this number, which appears on Truecaller as 'Sanjay Verma.' In the three weeks leading up to Raja's death, she made over 200 calls to the number.
The high volume and duration of these calls raised red flags. Investigators began looking into who was really behind the number, and now, they believe they've cracked the mystery.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
So, who exactly is Sanjay Verma? Why was Sonam in such regular contact with him? Here's what we know so far.
Who is Sanjay Verma?
As the investigation progressed, police uncovered that Sonam Raghuvanshi had been in constant touch with a contact saved on her phone as 'Sanjay Verma' in the weeks leading up to her marriage with Raja Raghuvanshi.
Surprisingly, the communication didn't stop after the wedding. According to East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem, the calls continued well into the early days of her married life, he told PTI.
Call records accessed during the probe showed that between March 1 and April 8, Sonam and the man listed as 'Sanjay' had spoken 234 times over 39 days. Many of these conversations stretched between 30 to 60 minutes, indicating a close and ongoing connection.
Once the pattern was established, police began searching for Verma in Indore. However, the number in question had since been switched off, making it difficult to trace.
Officers then turned to Sonam's family for leads, but even her brother Govind claimed he had never heard of anyone by that name.
Speaking to reporters, Govind said, 'I don't know anything about Sanjay Verma. I had come to show you all the places where Raj used to work. Nothing has been seized from here. I have also learned today that Sanjay's name is also coming up in this.'
#WATCH Raja Raghuvanshi murder case | Indore (Madhya Pradesh) | Accused Sonam Raghuvanshi's brother, Govind says, "...I don't know anything about Sanjay Verma..I had come to show all the places where Raj used to work...nothing has been seized from here, I don't know anything… pic.twitter.com/pAgI0KeVqN — ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2025
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The case took another turn when police noticed that the number listed as Sanjay Verma was last seen active on WhatsApp on June 8—the very day Sonam surrendered in Ghazipur, and all other accused were taken into custody.
Eventually, police discovered that 'Sanjay Verma' was a fake name. The man behind the number was actually Raj Kushwaha, Sonam's lover.
Police discovered that 'Sanjay Verma' was actually Raj Kushwaha, Sonam's lover. Sonam had saved his number under a false identity, likely in an attempt to avoid suspicion. Image courtesy: X
According to a report by NDTV, Sonam had saved his number under a false identity, likely in an attempt to avoid suspicion.
Earlier, police had revealed that Sonam went ahead with her marriage to Raja despite being in a relationship with Raj, the 20-year-old accountant employed at her family's plywood business.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
What have investigations revealed so far
The investigation into the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi has gained pace. On Tuesday, police revisited the crime scene with the accused to recreate the sequence of events.
During the crime scene reconstruction, all five accused were brought to multiple locations in Sohra and Nongriat villages to retrace their steps.
Meanwhile, the team also questioned Raja's brothers at his home in Indore. Reports suggest the Shillong SIT team may question Sonam again, this time at her home.
Reports suggest the Shillong SIT team may question Sonam again, this time at her home. PTI
Back in Shillong, the local team continues to question the accused. All the details gathered are being cross-verified with inputs from Indore.
Further, the SIT in Indore would determine whether a financial motive was also at play, beyond the suspected love triangle.
'Our team is in Indore and are questioning a few people to find out if somebody has to gain from Raja's death,' SP Vivek Syiem told PTI.
Raja and Sonam got married on May 11 in Indore. The couple left for their honeymoon on May 20, reaching Meghalaya. But by May 23, they were reported missing near Sohra, about 65 km from Shillong.
His decomposed body was recovered on June 2 from a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls. He was allegedly hacked to death with a traditional machete—known locally as a 'dao".
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
After a days-long search for Sonam, she was located in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur and surrendered on June 8 at Nandganj police station.
Sonam was located in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur and surrendered on June 8 at Nandganj police station.
This came just hours after the three alleged hitmen—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—were arrested from different towns across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Raj Kushwaha was arrested shortly after.
On June 11, police officials said that Sonam had confessed to her role in Raja's murder during interrogation.
Following the shocking revelations, her brother, Govind, said that the family has completely severed ties with her.
He expressed his support for Raja's grieving family, calling the incident devastating and vowing to stand with them in their pursuit of justice in a case that grabbed national headlines.
With input from agencies
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Bengaluru Police books 19 bars for ‘provocative' attire of female staff, poor hygiene, more
The Bengaluru City Police carried out raids in several bars and restaurants in the West Zone of the city and discovered numerous violations, including the 'provocative' attire of female staff and breaches of health, excise, and other regulations, ANI reported citing officials. The raids were conducted after the Bengaluru Police Commissioner received details on illegal activities at certain establishments, the report said, citing a statement. The bars and restaurants are located under the jurisdiction of Upparpet, Cottonpet, Kalasipalya, Cubbon Park, and Ashoknagar Police Stations, where 11 special police teams were formed to conduct the probe. The police found that 19 bars and restaurants had violated the regulations by hiring female workers dressed in 'provocative' attire who stood too close to the tables of the customer in an 'indecent' manner. Other violations included the absence of designated female security personnel, poor cleanliness in the kitchen, a lack of a proper smoking area and these places operating beyond allowed hours. Meanwhile, customers found violating COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) regulations were fined immediately. Reports have been sent to the respective police stations for additional legal measures against the owners of the bars and restaurants. Further, the police also found violations related to the health and excise departments. The relevant departments have been informed about the violations and have been asked to take action. Close monitoring of these commercial entities will persist in the coming days. If they violate regulations again, their licenses will be revoked, the report said. If the public experiences any inconvenience or observes any such violations, they can call the helpline number/Namma 112. The identity of informants will remain confidential, the report quoted the release. The raids were headed by C Vamsi Krishna, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police, West Zone and S Girish, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, West Division, including officers and staff from the Central and West Divisions as part of the 11 special police teams.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
CBI brings back Gujarat fraud accused Upavan Pavan Jain from UAE
New Delhi [India], June 21(ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully brought back Upavan Pavan Jain, a key accused in a multi-crore cheating and forgery case registered in Gujarat, with the help of INTERPOL and law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to a statement, Jain, wanted by the Gujarat Police, arrived in India on June 20 after being deported from Dubai. The International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU) of the CBI, in collaboration with the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, successfully returned Red Notice subject Upavan Pavan Jain to India on June 20, 2025. Jain was deported from Dubai, UAE, and arrived at Ahmedabad International Airport in Gujarat. His location in the UAE was earlier confirmed through coordinated efforts by the CBI and INTERPOL, with active support from NCB-Abu Dhabi, the statement added. Jain is accused in a case lodged at Adajan Police Station in Surat, Gujarat. The charges against him include cheating by personation, criminal conspiracy, dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and forgery of valuable security. As per the statement, the accused, Upavan Pavan Jain, conspired with his co-accused to forge documents and defraud the complainant. At the time, the accused was working as a real estate agent and showed the complainant four different properties, successfully convincing the complainant to purchase them through him. He then arranged for his accomplices to impersonate the actual property owners by assuming false identities. Using forged identification documents, they opened bank accounts in the names of the real property owners. Through this fraudulent scheme, the accused cheated the complainant of a total amount of Rs 3,66,73,000 (Indian Rupees Three Crore Sixty-Six Lakh Seventy-Three Thousand only). CBI published the Red Notice against the subject on 06.03.2023 through INTERPOL on the request of Based on a request from the Gujarat Police, a Red Notice was issued against Jain through INTERPOL on March 6, 2023. Following his arrest in the UAE, the Indian government submitted an extradition request via the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Red Notices published by INTERPOL are circulated to all Law Enforcement Agencies globally for tracking of the wanted Fugitives. CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels. More than 100 wanted criminals have been returned to India in the last few years through coordination via INTERPOL channels. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
PMLA court grants bail to aide of Dawood's brother
MUMBAI: A special court constituted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has granted bail to Israd Sayyed, an aide of Iqbal Kaskar, the younger brother of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, in connection with a money laundering case. Munbai : File photo of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar who was arrested on Monday night by the crime branch of the Thane Police in connection with an investigation into an extortion case. PTI Photo (PTI9_19_2017_000047B) (PTI) The ED had accused Kaskar and his aides, Israd Sayyed and Mumtaz Shaikh, of being the masterminds behind extortion of money and property from builders, and of being knowingly indulging in laundering of proceeds of crime to the tune of ₹ 78.63 lakh. The extortion complaint had alleged that in 2017, Kaskar and his associates extorted ₹ 30 lakh in cash and a flat worth ₹ 60 lakh in the Neopolis building in Thane from local builder Suresh Jain. Kaskar and his aides allegedly threatened the builder using Dawood's name and took the flat in the name of Mumtaz Ejaj Shaikh alias Raju, a close associate of Iqbal. The builder had filed an FIR at the Kasarvadavali police station, claiming that Kaskar's associates made repeated visits and continued to pressurise him. Based on the FIR, the ED initiated a money laundering investigation on September 26, 2017, and filed a chargesheet in 2022. Sayyed's advocate submitted that he is innocent and has committed no crime. The defence stated that he was acquitted under the original MCOCA case based on which the ED case was registered. Relying on the ground of parity, the defence argued that Kaskar has already been granted bail by the high court in the same case. The prosecution argued that Sayyed cannot avail the ground of parity as he threatened Mehta and extorted one flat and ₹ 20 lakhs from him. The court observed that the role of Sayyed is similar to that of Kaskar, who was released on bail by the high court. The court said that Sayyed is also acquitted in the MCOCA case, which is the predicate offence. The special sessions judge, Mahesh K Jadhav, in an order passed on June 16, said, 'The applicant is also in jail for a long time,' and held that Sayyed is entitled to be released on bail on the grounds of parity.
