The investigation into the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based businessman, has taken a dramatic turn with police alleging that his wife, Sonam, meticulously plotted his death following a "forced" marriage. According to authorities, the murder, which occurred during the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya, was not a crime of passion but rather the result of a carefully orchestrated plan, with multiple failed attempts preceding the final act.

Sonam Raghuvanshi, along with her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, and three suspected contract killers, have been arrested in connection with the murder. The police investigation suggests that Sonam, unhappy with her marriage to Raja, conspired with Kushwaha to eliminate him. The plan reportedly involved multiple attempts, with the fourth and final attempt proving successful.

East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem told PTI that the conspiracy to eliminate Raja was hatched in Indore, shortly before his wedding with Sonam on May 11, and the mastermind is Raj while the woman had agreed to the plot. A few days after the wedding, Raja (29) and Sonam (24) had come to picturesque Sohra in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district and went missing on May 23. His body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls on June 2, while a search continued for Sonam.

The details of the crime are chilling. Police reports indicate that Sonam, Kushwaha, and the contract killers traveled to Meghalaya under the guise of a honeymoon. On May 23, they lured Raja to a secluded spot near Weisawdong Falls, where they attacked him with a machete. The body was then thrown into a deep gorge to conceal the crime.

After the murder, Sonam allegedly fled Meghalaya, traveling to Guwahati and then taking a train back to Indore. She then met with Raj Kushwaha in a rented room and planned her next steps before resurfacing in Uttar Pradesh. She was eventually arrested in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.

Adding another layer of complexity to the case, police revealed that the killers initially planned to murder another woman and pass off her body as Sonam's. This would have allowed Sonam to disappear and evade suspicion while the investigation focused on the false identity.

During interrogation, Sonam reportedly confessed to her involvement in the murder plot. She admitted to paying Raj Kushwaha ₹50,000 to arrange travel for himself and three others—Vishal Singh, Anand Kurmi, and Akash Rajput—to Shillong. She also asked them to monitor her and Raja's movements during their honeymoon trip.

Raja's family has demanded a narco-analysis test on Sonam and Raj Kushwaha, believing it is the only way to uncover the full truth behind the murder. They suspect that the duo may be misleading investigators by blaming each other.

The case has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the nature of Sonam and Raja's relationship. While the investigation is still ongoing, the Meghalaya police are confident that they have gathered enough evidence to bring the perpetrators to justice.