Raja Raguwanshi’s mother remembers son during prayer ceremony in Indore:Uma says, ‘When I hear wedding bands, it feels like his ‘baraat’ is passing by’

Whenever I hear the sound of wedding bands or DJ music, it feels like my Raja’s wedding procession is passing by. If I hadn’t gotten him married that day, he would still be with me. These were the painful words of Uma Raghuwanshi, mother of late transport businessman Raja Raghuwanshi, who broke down in tears while performing a havan and prayer for her son’s salvation at their home in Indore on Thursday. The ceremony marked 6 months since Raja’s death. The family organized a puja-havan for his peace and salvation, preparing all of his favorite dishes. Only close family members participated in the rituals, which were performed by a priest in the presence of Raja’s photograph. Family performs ‘Havan’ ceremony From early morning, relatives gathered at the Raghuwanshi home. The family prepared Raja’s favorite foods, including gulab jamun, paneer curry, gilki vegetable, aloo-chole, and pulao. During the ceremony, Raja’s parents and brother Vipin offered oblations in the havan kund while prayers were recited for his soul’s peace. The atmosphere remained somber throughout. After the havan, Uma Raghuwanshi broke down remembering her son. The family has kept Raja’s room untouched since his death. Uma said she continues to believe that the culprits responsible for Raja’s murder will be punished. ‘Sonam betrayed us and sent Raja away forever’ Uma said that every time she hears music from a wedding procession, memories of Raja’s wedding return. She said tearfully. He himself rode the horse that day. If I had not married him to Sonam, he would still be here. She accused Raja’s wife Sonam of betrayal, adding that Sonam not only deceived the family but also took Raja’s life. According to Uma, the family had been waiting for six months for justice. ‘We performed 18 pind offerings today and gave donations for Raja’s soul. We just want that those who killed my son get the punishment they deserve,’ she said. Brother seeks life imprisonment for accused Raja’s brother Vipin, who had recently returned from Shillong, said his full statement had not yet been recorded there, but he came back for the ceremony. He expressed hope that the court would deliver strict punishment to all those involved in the murder. He said, We believe the accused should either get life imprisonment or the death penalty. Nothing less will be justice. Details of the murder case Raja Raghuwanshi, a transport businessman from Indore, married Sonam on May 11 this year. Ten days later, on May 21, the couple traveled to Shillong, Meghalaya, for their honeymoon. On May 23, Raja went missing. After ten days of search, his mutilated body was found in a 30-foot-deep ravine. Multiple stab wounds were found on his body, indicating he had been attacked with sharp weapons. Sonam was initially missing but later surrendered to police in Uttar Pradesh. During interrogation, police arrested her lover Raj Kushwaha and three others — Akash, Anand, and Vishal — who were allegedly involved in the murder. Investigations revealed that Sonam had a love affair with Raj Kushwaha. She allegedly lured Raja to a remote area under the pretext of sightseeing, where the other accused followed and attacked him with knives. After the murder, Sonam fled the scene and later surrendered. Currently, all five accused — Sonam, Raj, and the three accomplices — are in judicial custody. The Raghuwanshi family continues to seek justice, hoping for the harshest punishment for those responsible for Raja’s death.