The honeymoon murder case that has gripped the nation involves the death of Raja Raghuvanshi, allegedly orchestrated by his wife, Sonam, and her lover, Raj Kushwaha. The crime, executed during what should have been a romantic getaway to Meghalaya, reveals a complex web of deceit and pre-planning. Following the murder on May 23, 2025, Sonam and the hired killers took divergent paths to evade authorities, showcasing a calculated effort to obscure their involvement.
The Meghalaya police investigation, dubbed "Operation Honeymoon", pieced together the events leading up to and following Raja's murder. Sonam and Raja checked out of their homestay in Nongriat village on May 23. Later that day, Sonam allegedly used Raja's social media to post about their "union for seven lives." Raja's body was discovered in a gorge on June 2. Police investigations suggest the murder itself occurred before Sonam was seen about 10 kilometers from the crime scene. After allegedly directing the hitmen to kill Raja, Sonam met with the other accused about 11 kilometers from the crime scene.
After the murder, Sonam's movements were crucial to understanding her escape. Evidence suggests that she traveled to Guwahati and then took a train back to her hometown in Indore, arriving on May 25. In Indore, she allegedly met with Raj Kushwaha, who arranged a rented room for her near Dewas Naka. According to sources, digital payment records indicate Sonam made transactions on Raj Kushwah’s account throughout their North-East trip.
Raj then arranged for a car to transport her to Uttar Pradesh. She ultimately surrendered at a police station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, claiming she had been drugged and taken there against her will. This claim is being treated with skepticism by investigators, who believe it was a calculated move to portray herself as a victim.
Meanwhile, the hired killers, Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi, also embarked on separate routes to avoid capture. They were seen in about 42 footage from the area in Indore where they were staying. The police investigation revealed that the three men had traveled to Assam by train before arriving in Shillong on May 22, following Sonam and Raja. It is believed that the killers were in contact with Raj, using phones provided by him to update him on their progress and to receive live location updates and photos from Sonam as they trailed the couple from Guwahati to Raja's death between May 20–23. The murder weapon, a machete, was purchased in Guwahati.
The police arrested Akash Rajput from Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh, while Vishal Singh Chauhan and Raj Singh Kushwaha were apprehended in Indore. Anand Kurmi was arrested in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. These arrests, combined with Sonam's surrender, mark significant progress in the case. All the accused are being taken to Meghalaya for further investigation.
The investigation revealed Sonam's alleged plan was to stage Raja's murder as a robbery gone wrong, live as a widow for a while, and then try to convince her family to let her marry Raj Kushwaha. However, a small lie gave her away. She had told her mother-in-law that she was fasting for her husband's health. However, the SIT tracked down the owner of the hotel where the couple stayed and found out that she had eaten there. Also, the police found that she was in constant contact with Raj Kushwaha.
The swift actions of the Meghalaya Police, supported by the Indore police, were crucial in apprehending the accused. The recovery of Raja's body and the subsequent arrests have brought a sense of closure to the victim's family, even as they demand the harshest punishment for those responsible.
