The investigation into the honeymoon murder of Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya has taken a new, unsettling turn, with his family alleging that the motive behind the crime was linked to superstitious beliefs surrounding "Mangal Dosh."

Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife, Sonam, embarked on a honeymoon to Meghalaya following their wedding on May 11. The trip took a tragic turn when they went missing on May 23, not long after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village. On June 2, Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls, bearing fatal head injuries, confirmed by a post-mortem examination that revealed he had been struck twice with a sharp object.

According to Raja's father, Ashok Raghuvanshi, Sonam may have orchestrated her husband's murder to nullify the "Mangal Dosh" in her horoscope. In Hindu astrology, "Mangal Dosh" is a condition believed to cause marital problems and is associated with the planet Mars. The family claims that Sonam believed that by ending Raja's life, she could eliminate this astrological obstacle and later marry her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha. Raj Kushwaha, who worked in the furniture business owned by Sonam's family, is now considered a key conspirator in the murder plot.

Adding to the complexity of the case, Raja's father also stated that both Raja and Sonam were Manglik. He claimed that a superstition exists where, if one spouse dies, the "Mangal Dosh" ends, implying Sonam might have acted to clear her path for a future marriage with Raj Kushwaha.

However, local astrologer Dheeraj Dixit has refuted the claim that "Mangal Dosh" can be removed through the death of a spouse, dismissing the family's theory as unfounded in astrological principles.

The police investigation has uncovered a chilling plot allegedly masterminded by Sonam and Raj Kushwaha. While Raj Kushwaha purportedly coordinated the murder remotely, he hired three contract killers—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—to execute the crime. Sonam allegedly lured Raja to an isolated location under the guise of sightseeing, where the hired assailants ambushed and murdered him with sharp weapons.

After the murder, Sonam and the contract killers reportedly fled to Guwahati, staying together for a day before dispersing. Sonam later surrendered to police in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.

Raja Raghuvanshi's father is demanding the death penalty for all those involved in the murder. He expressed his grief and disbelief that his son returned home in a coffin, his body mutilated to the point that the family prevented him from seeing it due to his heart condition.

Initially, the Raghuvanshi family had criticized the Meghalaya Police for their handling of the investigation. However, they have since apologized, acknowledging that the police were conducting a secret operation to apprehend the culprits. Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, expressed gratitude to both the Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh governments for their support during this difficult time.

As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on uncovering the full extent of the conspiracy and bringing all those responsible to justice.