MEGHALAYA BJP MINISTER SUPPORTS CBI PROBE
The search and rescue operation to locate Indore Honeymooner Sonam Raghuvanshi continued for the 15th day on Sunday, even as the National Commission for Women (NCW) has urged Meghalaya Director General of Police, to intensify search operations using drones, sniffer dogs, and specialised rescue teams.
While Raja Raghuvanshi, husband of Sonam, was found murdered eight days after they went missing on May 23, Sonam is still missing.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said she has written to DGP Idashisha Nongrang to examine all possible leads and forensic evidence and collaborate with national agencies, if required.
Rahatkar also called for immediate arrest of the accused and to submit a detailed report to the Commission within three days.
The NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports regarding the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi and the disappearance of his wife Sonam in Meghalaya, with alarming suspicions of human trafficking to Bangladesh.
“Recent findings, including bloodstained clothing and eyewitness accounts of the couple seen with unidentified men, indicate serious foul play,” Rahatkar said.
The couple from Madhya Pradesh’s Indore got married on May 11 and was on honeymoon to Sohra, the wettest place on earth, in southern slopes of Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district.
Rescuers from the National Disaster Respone Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local villagers on Sunday conducted the search operation in Pyndem-Dkhar village and Mawkma village, but no trace of the missing Indore woman.
The search and recuse team used drones to provide valuable aerial data and to help in locating Sonam.
“We are putting all efforts to locate the missing woman, but there is no trace of her as yet. We will resume our search operation tomorrow again,” NDRF Team Commander, Lal Ringson said.
Meghalaya police have filed a murder case in this regard and a Special Investigation Team headed by Superintendent of Police (Shillong City) Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor has been constituted for further probe into the death.