The shocking case of Raja Raghuvanshi's murder in Meghalaya has taken a sinister turn, with his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, now accused of plotting and executing his murder just days after their wedding. The couple, who hailed from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, embarked on their honeymoon to the northeastern state on May 20, only for Raja to be found dead in a gorge on June 2. What initially appeared as a tragic accident has now unfolded into a chilling tale of betrayal and premeditated murder.
Sonam Raghuvanshi was taken into custody on June 8 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Police reports indicate that she surrendered "under pressure". Meghalaya Police allege that Sonam was involved in an extramarital affair with 21-year-old Raj Kushwaha, and together they conspired to kill Raja. Kushwaha, along with three others – Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), Akash Rajput (19), and Anand Singh Kurmi (23) – have also been arrested in connection with the murder.
According to East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem, Raj Kushwaha was the "handler" of the three hired assailants, though he himself never entered Meghalaya. The police allege that the motive behind the murder was Sonam's relationship with Raj. Investigators claim that Sonam shared the couple's live location with the assassins. Evidence also suggests that Sonam and Raj Singh were in constant contact, using separate SIM cards even during the trip.
The gruesome details of the murder reveal that Raja was hacked with a machete on May 23. The autopsy report indicated several wounds on his body, with major injuries to the head, both front and back. After the murder, all the accused fled the state on the same day. Initially, the case was treated as a missing persons investigation until Raja's body was discovered, transforming it into a homicide probe.
A crucial lead in the investigation came from a local tourist guide, Albert Pde, who reported seeing the couple accompanied by three men on the day they went missing. He overheard the men speaking in Hindi.
Adding to the intrigue, Raja's family members have expressed suspicion about Sonam's involvement from the beginning. Raja's brother, Vipul, stated that Sonam was always on the phone with Raj. Before the wedding, during a video call on May 20, Raja informed his mother that Sonam had insisted he wear gold jewelry on the trip, which Raja's sisters-in-law say their mother opposed. Police suspect that Sonam's insistence on gold jewelry and the lack of return tickets might have been part of a staged robbery‐cum‐murder plot. Investigators are also investigating whether Sonam withdrew a large sum of money after the wedding and before the trip.
Sonam's father, Devi Singh, has refuted the murder charges, demanding a CBI probe and alleging that Meghalaya police are framing his daughter. He claimed that Sonam told the family that she had been kidnapped and there was an attempt to rob her, and she did not remember how she reached Ghazipur.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma commended the police for their swift action, stating that a breakthrough was achieved within seven days of the incident. He confirmed the arrest of the three assailants from Madhya Pradesh and Sonam's surrender.
As the investigation continues, authorities are seeking transit remand to bring Sonam back to Meghalaya for further interrogation. The Meghalaya police are determined to uncover the full truth behind this tragic honeymoon horror and bring all those responsible to justice.
