With 90 witnesses, Sonam case may linger for years

Shillong, Nov 11:With 90 witnesses to be examined, the trial of Sonam Raghuvanshi and  others will take a few years

The first witness, Bipin Raghuvanshi, brother of Indore-based Raja Raghuwanshi, was examined briefly by the district & sessions court but deferred to November 26.

Bipin was the complainant in the case.

Sonam and her alleged accomplices – Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Aakash Singh Rajput, and Anand Kurmi- were not produced physically but via video conference.

During the framing of charges on October 28, all the accused pleaded not guilty.

Speaking to reporters, Special Public Prosecutor KC Gautam said the chargesheet was watertight with 90 witnesses.

“Only Vipin Raghuvanshi was called today. This examination was incomplete; it will take more time. The others, as their turn comes, will come. The trial commences with the framing of the chargesheet. Today, the prosecution evidence has started”, he said.

When asked, Vipin said, “As the time was over today, I was given the next date, which is on 26th November. Because of time constraints, the full statement couldn’t be recorded.”

Raja was murdered during his honeymoon trip to Meghalaya in May this year.

Later, his body was found in a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls on June 2.

Police filed the first charge sheet with 790 pages.

East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said a second chargesheet  is expected to be filed by the third week of November