Meghalaya: Raja Raghuvanshi Murder update, Wife Sonam Raghuvanshi Arrested

SHILLONG- The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, a 28-year-old businessman from Indore, during his honeymoon in Meghalaya has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, and three accomplices. What began as a suspected trekking accident has unraveled into a chilling conspiracy of betrayal and contract killing. Below is a detailed chronology of the case, pieced together from police statements, media reports, and official sources, shedding light on the events leading to the shocking crime.

Chronology of Events

May 11, 2025: The Wedding
Raja Raghuvanshi, a businessman from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, married Sonam Raghuvanshi, 24, in a ceremony attended by both families. The marriage, described as consensual by relatives, appeared to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the couple, who were reportedly excited about their upcoming honeymoon.

May 20, 2025: Honeymoon in Meghalaya
The newlyweds arrived in Shillong, Meghalaya, for a week-long honeymoon, planning to explore the state’s scenic attractions. They checked into a hotel in Shillong and rented a scooter for travel. Their itinerary included popular tourist spots like Sohra (Cherrapunji), known for its waterfalls and living root bridges.

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May 22–23, 2025: Last Known Movements
On May 22, Raja and Sonam were spotted in Shillong, appearing cheerful while preparing for a trip to Sohra. On May 23, they visited the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat village, a strenuous trek involving over 3,000 steps. A local tourist guide, Albert Pde, later provided a critical lead, reporting that he saw the couple accompanied by three unidentified men while climbing back from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat. This was the last confirmed sighting of Raja alive. The couple’s rented scooter was found abandoned in Sohrarim the next day, May 24, prompting concern.

May 24–26, 2025: Family Raises Alarm
When Raja and Sonam failed to return to their hotel and became unreachable, their families contacted Meghalaya Police. Initial reports suggested the couple might have been involved in a trekking accident, given the rugged terrain of Sohra. The police launched a search operation, focusing on the areas around Nongriat and Wei Sawdong Falls.

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May 27–June 1, 2025: Search Intensifies
The search expanded with the involvement of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers. Drones and dog squads were deployed to scour the dense forests and gorges of East Khasi Hills. The National Commission for Women (NCW) took note of the case, urging swift action to locate the missing couple. Meanwhile, Raja’s family, suspecting foul play, demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, citing concerns over the Meghalaya Police’s handling of the case.

June 2, 2025: Raja’s Body Found
After days of searching, Raja’s decomposed body was discovered in a deep gorge below the Wei Sawdong Falls parking lot in Sohra. A bloodstained machete, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered nearby, along with a white shirt, a smartwatch, and other personal items. The postmortem report confirmed homicide, revealing wounds consistent with a sharp weapon, possibly a dao, a traditional cutting tool used in the region. Sonam remained missing, fueling speculation that she might have been abducted or killed.

June 3–6, 2025: Case Takes a Twist
Meghalaya Police intensified their investigation, forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of DGP Idashisha Nongrang. A key breakthrough came from Albert Pde’s statement, which pointed to the involvement of three unknown men. Meanwhile, Raja’s family held his funeral in Indore, where a poignant poster reading, “I did not die… I was killed,” reflected their belief in foul play. Public outrage grew, with social media posts on X demanding justice and criticizing the police for delays.

June 7–8, 2025: Sonam Surrenders, Accomplices Arrested
On June 7, Sonam Raghuvanshi contacted her family from a roadside dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, claiming she had been on the run. She surrendered at Nandganj Police Station the same day. Meghalaya Police, in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Police, conducted overnight raids, arresting three men from Indore identified as contract killers hired by Sonam. The suspects confessed to luring Raja to a secluded spot near Wei Sawdong Falls, where they allegedly killed him with a machete and pushed his body into the gorge.

June 9, 2025: Police Reveal Conspiracy
Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang announced that Sonam was the mastermind behind the murder, allegedly driven by an extramarital affair with a man named Raj Kushwaha, who remains at large. The police revealed that Sonam had planned the murder before the couple’s arrival in Meghalaya, coordinating with the hired killers to stage the crime as an accident.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma lauded the police for the breakthrough, stating on X, “Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #meghalayapolice … 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered, and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant.”

Additional Details

Motive and Planning
Investigators believe Sonam’s relationship with Raj Kushwaha was the primary motive. Sources indicate that Sonam and Kushwaha had been in contact before the wedding, and the honeymoon provided an opportunity to execute the plan in a remote location where suspicion might fall on an accident. The hired killers, all from Madhya Pradesh, were reportedly paid a substantial sum, though the exact amount remains undisclosed. The police are examining financial transactions and call records to establish the full extent of the conspiracy.

Crime Scene and Evidence
The Wei Sawdong Falls area, a popular but isolated tourist spot, was chosen for its treacherous terrain, likely to mask the murder as a fall. The machete recovered at the scene bore traces of Raja’s blood, and forensic analysis is underway to link it to the suspects. The smartwatch found near the body contained data that helped police establish a timeline of Raja’s final movements.

Family Reactions
Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, has rejected the allegations, claiming his daughter is being framed. “She loved Raja. This is a conspiracy by the Meghalaya Police to cover up their incompetence,” he told reporters, announcing plans to approach Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a CBI inquiry. Raja’s family, led by his brother Vipul Raghuvanshi, expressed relief at the arrests but reiterated their demand for a CBI probe, citing distrust in the local police.

Public and Political Response
The case has sparked widespread debate on social media  with hashtags like #JusticeForRaja trending. The NCW has called for a transparent investigation, while opposition leaders in Meghalaya have accused the state government of mishandling the initial response. The case has also raised concerns about tourist safety in Meghalaya, prompting assurances from the tourism department.

Current Status

Meghalaya Police are escorting Sonam from Ghazipur to Shillong for further questioning and a crime scene recreation. The search continues for Raj Kushwaha, believed to be a key conspirator. The SIT is investigating potential accomplices and analyzing digital evidence to uncover additional details. The case, now a national sensation, underscores the complexities of investigating crimes in remote areas and the emotional toll on the families involved.

As the investigation progresses, the nation awaits answers to the question: how did a honeymoon turn into a meticulously planned murder?