The Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, involving the death of Raja Raghuvanshi and the subsequent arrest of his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, has taken several twists and turns, captivating the nation. While Sonam surrendered to police in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, June 9, 2025, after being on the run for days, indications suggest that authorities suspected her involvement much earlier in the investigation.
Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, residents of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, had an arranged marriage on May 11, 2025. They embarked on their honeymoon to Meghalaya on May 20, initially planning to visit Kashmir but changing their destination. On May 22, they checked into a hotel in Shillong and visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. The next day, May 23, the couple went missing after checking out of their homestay, triggering a massive search operation.
The timeline indicates that suspicion began to fall on Sonam soon after Raja's body was discovered on June 2 in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls. The body was identified by a tattoo and a smartwatch. The discovery of a bloodstained machete, not typical of the region, near the body, raised further alarms. The Meghalaya Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and started investigating the case from all angles.
Several factors contributed to the growing suspicion against Sonam. Firstly, the couple was last seen together on May 23. Later that day, a village head reported their rented scooter abandoned near a dhaba in Sohra. Sonam's call to her mother-in-law on the morning of May 23, in which she mentioned their plans and that she was observing a fast, seemed like an attempt to create a false alibi. Secondly, the police discovered that Sonam was in constant contact with Raj Kushwaha, her alleged lover, throughout the trip.
The police also learned that the couple had been spotted with three Hindi-speaking men near the location where Raja's body was eventually found. This crucial tip-off, provided by a local guide who had offered them his services earlier, suggested the involvement of outsiders, strengthening the theory of a planned murder. Call records further revealed that Sonam had shared her location with Kushwaha before the couple went missing.
The recovery of a white shirt worn by Sonam in CCTV footage from the homestay near Raja's body further cemented her role in the crime. Moreover, the autopsy report confirmed that Raja had sustained multiple sharp injuries to his head, indicating a pre-meditated attack.
While the exact date when the police zeroed in on Sonam as the prime suspect remains unconfirmed, the evidence gathered in the days following the discovery of Raja's body pointed strongly towards her involvement. The police suspected that Sonam had lured Raja to a deserted road where hired killers ambushed him. After the murder, Sonam and the contract killers traveled together to Guwahati before splitting up to evade capture.
By June 9, the Meghalaya Police had enough evidence to name Sonam as the prime accused and issued a lookout notice. Sensing the impending arrest, Sonam surrendered to the police in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Along with Sonam, police arrested Raj Kushwaha, Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi in connection with the case.
Sonam, however, has claimed that she was drugged and has no recollection of how she reached Ghazipur. The police are currently investigating her claims, but initial investigations suggest that she is feigning ignorance. Amitabh Yash, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) called Sonam a poor planner, lacking knowledge of police procedures.
The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover the exact motive behind the murder and the full extent of the conspiracy.
