A romantic honeymoon in Meghalaya turned into a chilling crime across three states. Newlywed Raja Raghuvanshi, 29, was found dead in a gorge near Sohra on June 2, following the disappearance of his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, 25. What began with vows at the Kamakhya Temple ended with a shocking murder—allegedly planned by Sonam.
🕰️ Timeline of Tragedy
- May 11: Raja and Sonam marry in Indore.
- May 20: They travel to Shillong, starting their honeymoon.
- May 23: The couple vanishes after a trek near Nongriat; their rented scooter is later found abandoned.
- June 2: Raja’s body is recovered at the base of a gorge under Wei Sawdong Falls; a machete and his phone are discovered nearby.
- June 8–9: Sonam is located, disoriented, at a roadside eatery in Ghazipur, UP, after calling her brother; she later surrenders and is arrested.
🎯 The Investigation: From Romance to Retribution
Meghalaya Police allege Sonam orchestrated Raja’s murder by hiring four men—her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—to kill him near the Falls. Three have been arrested; one suspect remains at large.
Sources reveal that Sonam and the accused communicated extensively:
- Sonam allegedly shared live location updates throughout the trip.
- A nighttime call from Sonam to Raj Kushwaha raised suspicion.
- Tourist guide Albert Pde reported seeing the group of four—Sonam, Raja, and three men—trekking together on May 23.
Police characterise the act as premeditated contract killing—planned during a post-wedding visit by Sonam to her parental home in Indore, allegedly to reunite with Raj Kushwaha.
🧠 Autopsy & Evidence
- Raja suffered multiple fatal head injuries inflicted with a sharp weapon, likely the recovered machete.
- Forensic teams found Raja’s blood-stained raincoat and the weapon near the body.
- Jewellery worth over Rs. 10 lakh that he wore on the trip was missing, fueling initial suspicion of robbery before the plot unfolded.
👫 Family Divided: Betrayal and Broken Trust
- Raja’s Family:
- Mother Uma Raghuvanshi is devastated: “If she’s involved, she should be punished.”
- Brother Vipul Raghuvanshi demands a CBI probe and transparency, claiming Sonam and Raja had a good relationship with no signs of conflict.
- Sonam’s Family:
- Father Devi Singh insists Sonam is innocent and voluntarily travelled to Ghazipur. He alleges a police conspiracy and calls for a CBI investigation.
🤐 Sonam’s Statement So Far
At the Ghazipur dhaba, Sonam appeared disoriented and admitted that Raja was killed during an alleged robbery. She refuses to confirm whether she procured the accused. “I didn’t kill my husband—they killed him for the jewellery,” she claimed.
🔍 What Lies Ahead
- Police Next Steps:
- Meghalaya SIT, alongside NDRF and forensic teams, are continuing investigations across MP, UP, and Meghalaya. Ø
- Suspects are under interrogation; one assailant is still at large.
- Legal Proceedings:
- Sonam is in transit custody in UP and will be formally remanded to Meghalaya.
- Both families demand a CBI probe to ensure neutrality.
- Public Reaction:
- The hashtag #SonamBewafaThi (“Sonam was unfaithful”) has gone viral, reflecting widespread outrage and disbelief.
📌 Why This Story Matters
- Betrayal in the spotlight: A romance turned ruthless murder — shocking enough to spark intense media scrutiny.
- Multi-state legal complexity: The case involves jurisdictions in MP, UP, and Meghalaya, demanding high-stakes coordination.
- Social media dynamics: Public sentiment has surged online, turning a tragic incident into a cultural moment.
- Criminal justice questions: The debate over a federal CBI investigation highlights trust in investigative bodies.
#honeymoonmurder #rajaraghuvanshi #sonamraghuvanshi #meghalaya #contractkilling #cbiprotest
