Meghalaya murder: Raja Raghuvanshi's sister summoned; action over defamatory remarks on Kamakhya Temple

NEW DELHI: Shrasti Raghuvanshi, cousin of late Raja Raghuvanshi, along with a news anchor, received summons from the Guwahati Police crime branch in connection with an alleged defamatory statement made against the Kamakhya Temple.The controversy arose from a television interview in which the news anchor reportedly made “unverified and highly defamatory” remarks about the Kamakhya Temple, one of the most sacred Shakti Peethas in the country. The police further alleged that Shrasti Raghuwanshi, who was interviewed during the segment, supported the anchor’s claims, thereby reinforcing what authorities describe as a false narrative.“The statements are against the revered temple of Hindu deity Maa Kamakhya of Assam, thereby hurting the religious sentiments of a particular community and disturbing public peace and communal harmony in the society. Hence, the case registered,” said Ankur Jain, joint police commissioner, Guwahati City Police.Shrasti’s brother, Vipin Raghuwanshi, responded to the summons saying that the family had tried to comply with police instructions. “They asked to apologise, so we apologised. The police asked Srashti to provide them with all the evidence she had and apologise... The notice came 15 days ago from the Assam police,” he said.He further suggested that rising public interest in Shrasti's social media activity may have led to police believing that she is trying to divert attention.“Due to the reel on Instagram, Shrasti's followers are increasing, which has led the police to suspect that she is diverting the investigation in another direction,” Vipin told ANI.According to a statement from the Guwahati City Police, a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, was served to the anchor, their news channel, and Shrasti on June 13, instructing them to appear for questioning on 23 and 24 June. However, the police said none of them have responded to the summons so far.“In this regard, a case has been registered at the Crime Branch police station vide Crime Branch Police Station Case no 04/2025 U/S 196(2)/299/302 of BNSS, 2023. The IO has sent 35 (3) BNSS notice to the accused named in the FIR including the anchor of the news channel and Shrasti Raghuwanshi of Indore on 13-06-2025 to appear before the Investigation Officer at Crime Branch PS on 23 and 24 June, but they did not appear before IO till date,” Jain said.