The mysterious case of the missing Indore woman, Sonam Raghuvanshi, has deepened following the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, in Meghalaya. The couple, who were on their honeymoon, went missing on May 23, 2025, from Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district, hours after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village. Raja's body was discovered on Monday in a gorge near Sohra, but Sonam remains untraced, sparking a massive search operation and a complex police investigation.
Adding a chilling layer to the puzzle is an audio clip that has surfaced, believed to be the last known communication from Sonam. The undated audio features Sonam speaking to her mother-in-law, telling her she was trekking to a waterfall and was exhausted. She also mentioned she would not break her religious fast. The call abruptly ended and no one has heard from her since. The audio has intensified the mystery surrounding her disappearance and fueled concerns about potential foul play.
Raja Raghuvanshi's body was identified by a tattoo on his right arm that read "Raja." A post-mortem examination was conducted in Shillong. Police have confirmed that Raja was murdered using a machete ("dao"), which was recovered near the body along with his mobile phone. Other items found at the recovery site included a woman's white shirt, a strip of medicine, part of a phone screen, and a smartwatch.
The police have registered a case of homicide and destruction of evidence, with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate. The SIT is led by a Superintendent of Police and includes several Deputy SPs. Authorities are treating the case with utmost priority, describing Sonam's disappearance as "inexplicable." SP Vivek Syiem stated that it was unusual as there was no trace of Sonam despite vast search operations.
Multiple agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, and local police, are involved in the search for Sonam. The search area is a rugged and forested terrain with deep gorges. Heavy rainfall and strong winds have hampered the search efforts. A raincoat with stains was recovered from Mawkma village, and forensic analysis is being conducted to determine the nature of the stains.
Raja's family suspects foul play and has demanded a CBI investigation, alleging that valuables like a gold chain, rings, and wallet were missing, indicating robbery and murder. His brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, claimed the police ignored early pleas to explore the area where the body was found and that misleading information was obstructing the investigation.
Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has called the incident "unprecedented and shocking" and assured the public that Meghalaya remains a safe destination. He urged against premature conclusions that could hamper the investigation. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has spoken to Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma, who assured that the search operations are being closely monitored. MPs from Madhya Pradesh have also met with Meghalaya state officials to review the progress of the investigation.
As the search for Sonam enters its thirteenth day, the audio clip and the ongoing investigation continue to deepen the mystery surrounding the couple's tragic honeymoon. The police are exploring all angles, and the search for Sonam continues with the hope of finding her and uncovering the truth behind these unsettling events.
