Tragic Honeymoon in Meghalaya: Indore Man Found Dead, Wife Still Missing
The couple, who married on May 11 and arrived in Meghalaya on May 20 for their honeymoon, went missing on May 23.......
SHILLONG – A honeymoon trip turned tragic for a newlywed couple from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, as Raja Raghuvanshi, 30, was found dead in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls in Meghalaya’s Sohra region, and his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, 27, remains missing. The couple, who married on May 11 and arrived in Meghalaya on May 20 for their honeymoon, went missing on May 23 after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village, East Khasi Hills district.
On June 2, after an eight-day search hampered by heavy rainfall and treacherous terrain, Meghalaya Police recovered Raja’s semi-decomposed body from a 100-foot gorge, identified by a tattoo of his name on his right hand. A machete, suspected to be the murder weapon, and a smashed mobile phone were also found in the gorge, leading police to register a murder case.
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The postmortem confirmed Raja was hacked to death, and his gold rings, chain, and wallet were missing, prompting suspicions of foul play. Raja’s family, suspecting murder due to the missing valuables, has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
The search for Sonam continues amidst challenging weather conditions, with 500mm of rainfall between May 29 and 31 causing landslides and flash floods. On June 4, a stained raincoat, possibly belonging to Sonam, was recovered from the Wei Sawdong area, raising hopes of locating her. Forensic analysis is underway to confirm if the stains are blood and if the coat is hers.
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An audio clip surfaced, capturing Sonam’s last call to her mother-in-law on May 23, where she sounded exhausted, saying she was trekking through a forest to see a waterfall. Another recording revealed Raja speaking to his mother, mentioning they had reached a peak and were eating fruits, but had no internet connectivity.
CCTV footage from May 22 shows the couple checking into a Shillong hotel, providing the last confirmed sighting before their rented scooter was found abandoned near Sohrarim village on May 24. The couple had visited the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat, a strenuous trek, and were last seen having tea at a roadside kiosk.
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Meghalaya Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case, with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma assuring justice and personally monitoring efforts.
The couple’s family, including Raja’s brother Vipin and Sonam’s brother Govind, have been actively involved in the search, using travel photos and Google Maps to trace their route.
The family criticized initial delays by local police, alleging inadequate support until Indore authorities intervened. A ₹5 lakh reward was offered for information on the couple’s whereabouts.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Indore MP Shankar Lalwani have coordinated with Meghalaya authorities, pressing for swift action.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on locating Sonam and unraveling the circumstances behind Raja’s murder. The case has gripped Indore, with Raja’s body returned home for his final rites, while his family and friends hold onto hope for Sonam’s safe recovery.
