In the city of Indore, a seemingly perfect match was orchestrated through the traditional route of a "Samaj Parichay Pustika" – a matrimonial directory published by the community during Ram Navami. This booklet lists eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, aiming to facilitate arranged marriages. It was here, on October 1, 2024, that Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi's families found each other. There was no prior acquaintance, only profiles that appeared compatible. They met, liked what they saw, and agreed to marry. Raja's mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, described it as a perfectly arranged match, devoid of any love affair or hidden motives. The wedding took place on May 11 in Indore, blessed by both families. According to Raja's brother, Sachin, everything seemed normal, and there were no suspicions of anything untoward.

However, beneath the surface of this traditional union, a dark plot was allegedly brewing. Just weeks after their wedding, the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya turned into a tragedy. Raja Raghuvanshi, a 26-year-old businessman, was found dead in a gorge near Cherrapunji. His 25-year-old wife, Sonam, had gone missing.

Initially, suspicion fell on whether the couple had been victims of an accident or some other unfortunate incident. However, as investigations progressed, a disturbing narrative emerged. Police sources revealed that the murder was meticulously planned by Sonam in collusion with her lover, Raj Kushwaha. While Raj did not accompany the couple to Meghalaya, he remained in constant contact over the phone and is alleged to have hired three contract killers: Akash, Vishal, and Anand, who joined Sonam and Raja during their trip.

On May 22, the couple left their hotel on a rented scooter to explore the area. On May 23, Sonam made a phone call to her mother-in-law, informing her about their plans and that she was observing a fast. After that, both their phones went unreachable. Later that day, a village head reported an abandoned scooter with the key still in it near a dhaba in the Sohra area, raising suspicions.

When Raja's family was unable to reach the couple, his brother Vipin traveled to Shillong and lodged a missing person's report on May 24. Search teams, including NDRF and SDRF, began combing the forests of the East Khasi Hills. On May 27, the scooter rented by the couple was found. The search ended in tragedy on June 2, when Raja's decomposed body was discovered in a gorge near the Weisawdong Falls. The body had multiple sharp injuries, including major wounds on the head.

Sonam was apprehended in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur and is alleged to have hired killers to murder her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi. Four men, including Raj, with whom the woman had an affair, were arrested for allegedly killing her husband. Apart from Kushwaha, the other three men arrested for allegedly killing Raja were identified as Aakash Rajpoot, Vikas alias Vicky and Anand.

According to reports, the plan to murder Raja was hatched just five days after the wedding, on May 16. Sonam allegedly shared GPS locations with the hired killers, who followed the couple to Meghalaya. The Meghalaya police indicated that the motive behind the murder could stem from Sonam's alleged affair with Raj Kushwaha.

The case took another turn when Sonam surrendered to the police in Uttar Pradesh. Initially, she claimed that her husband had been killed while trying to protect her from a group of men who attempted to snatch her jewelry and that she didn't remember how she got to Uttar Pradesh. However, investigations revealed a different story.

The family of Raja Raghuvanshi has demanded justice, with Raja's brother, Sachin, raising questions about Sonam being found alive and the involvement of other people in the murder. Raja's sister expressed her grief and questioned why Sonam couldn't have simply eloped if she liked someone else, instead of taking her brother's life.

As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered. The Meghalaya Police are working to piece together the events leading up to Raja's death and to determine the full extent of Sonam's involvement and the motives behind this tragic betrayal.