The mysterious death of Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore tourist, during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, has taken a shocking turn with the emergence of new CCTV footage and the arrest of his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, in connection with the murder. The case has captivated the nation, with the police investigation revealing a complex web of deceit and betrayal.
The latest development involves CCTV footage showing Raja and Sonam at a Shillong homestay on May 22, a day before they went missing. The footage, accessed by T7 News Channel, shows the couple arriving on a scooter with a white suitcase. They appear to be interacting normally. Raja is seen entering the premises to speak with hotel staff, while Sonam waits outside, removing her jacket and fixing her hair. He later returns, takes some belongings from the suitcase, and hands them over to Sonam. Notably, the white shirt Sonam is seen wearing in the video was later recovered near Raja's body. The same scooter seen in the footage was later found abandoned near the spot where Raja's body was discovered.
Another CCTV clip, a 14-minute-long video, shows the couple depositing their bags in a hotel before heading towards Double Decker Bridge on May 21. Both are wearing raincoats. The couple arrives at 12:42 pm on the same two-wheeler that was later found abandoned. Sonam is wearing a white T-shirt and black trousers under a black-and-pink raincoat. Raja is seen requesting the manager to allow them to leave their luggage at the hotel while they visit Double-Decker Bridge. Sonam puts her raincoat in the boot of the two-wheeler. They transfer some clothes from their suitcases into a carry bag and head off, appearing cheerful and carefree. At 12:45 pm, a red hatchback arrives and stops a short distance away. Two minutes later, two men step out of the car and enter the hotel. One of them is seen making entries on the computer, while the other makes a phone call. At 12:56 pm, the couple leaves on their two-wheeler.
These CCTV visuals offer a glimpse into the couple's last known movements before their disappearance, adding layers of complexity to the investigation. The fact that Sonam was seen on camera seemingly relaxed and interacting normally, just a day before Raja's death, raises questions about her involvement and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Adding to the intrigue, reports indicate that Sonam was on a call before Raja's death. While the details of this call remain unclear, it is a crucial piece of evidence that the police are likely investigating to determine its connection to the murder.
On June 9, Meghalaya Director General of Police I Nongrang revealed that Sonam had allegedly hired assailants to kill Raja. She surrendered to police at Nandganj Police Station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Three more suspects, all men, were arrested in overnight raids—two from Indore and one from UP. The accused reportedly confessed to the murder-for-hire plot during interrogation.
The police investigation has revealed that Raja and Sonam, a newlywed couple from Indore, arrived in Meghalaya for their honeymoon in May, after their wedding on May 11. On May 22, the couple reached Mawlakhiyat village and undertook the steep 3,000-step trek to Nongriat, known for its iconic living root bridges. They spent the night in a homestay and were last seen checking out the next morning. Their rented scooter was later found abandoned on May 24 near a cafe along the Shillong–Sohra road. After days of no contact, Raja was reported missing. On June 4, Raja's decomposed body was found inside a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls. A machete, believed to have been used in the murder, was also recovered near the location.
While Raja's body has been brought back to Indore, the investigation continues to uncover the truth behind this tragic honeymoon murder. Sonam's father, Devi Singh, has rejected the murder charges, claiming that the police investigation was flawed. The family has demanded a CBI probe into the case, expressing concerns about the handling of the investigation by local authorities. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has assured that justice will be done in the case.