What began as a dreamy honeymoon in Meghalaya for an Indore-based couple turned into a grim tale of infidelity, bloodshed, and a chilling murder conspiracy that has left the nation shocked. Raja Raghuvanshi, a 29-year-old businessman, was found dead in the picturesque yet remote terrains of Meghalaya’s Cherrapunji region. What followed was a harrowing investigation that uncovered a dark and deliberate murder plot—allegedly orchestrated by his 27-year-old wife, Sonam, barely weeks after their nuptial.
The couple, who had tied the knot on May 11, left for Meghalaya on May 20 to celebrate their new life together. Their romantic retreat took a sinister turn when, on May 23, they went missing near Sohra (formerly Cherrapunji), a tourist hotspot famed for its waterfalls and lush trails. For over a week, their families waited in agonizing silence until Raja’s lifeless body was discovered in a deep gorge on June 2—setting off a chain of events that revealed one of the most heinous murder conspiracies in recent memory.
A VACATION SHROUDED IN VIOLENCE
The discovery of Raja’s body near Wei Sawdong Falls—a remote, multi-tiered waterfall surrounded by dense forest—initially launched a missing persons investigation. Local police suspected foul play, as his body bore signs of a violent assault. A day later, a bloodstained machete was found nearby, along with traces of clothing and personal belongings.
Sonam, who was untraceable during this period, resurfaced days later at a roadside eatery in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Tearful and distraught, she reportedly asked the Dhaba owner for a phone to call her brother. Suspicious of her condition, the owner alerted local police, who took her into custody. What emerged next would shock even seasoned investigators.
AN ORCHESTRATED CONTRACT KILLING
According to Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang, Sonam is the prime suspect and alleged mastermind of the murder. Investigators claim she conspired with a man named Raj Kushwaha—believed to be her paramour—and hired three contract killers from Madhya Pradesh to eliminate her husband under the guise of a honeymoon.
Three of the accused—Vicky Thakur, Anand, and Akash Rajput—have been arrested, while Kushwaha is believed to be the fourth conspirator still under investigation. Another set of names reported by media sources includes Vishal Chauhan and Akash Kumar Rajput. These individuals, all believed to be acquaintances of Sonam and Kushwaha, were allegedly present in Meghalaya at the time of the crime.
CCTV footage retrieved from a local hotel in Sohra showed Raja and Sonam arriving on May 23, carrying a small suitcase on a rented scooter. They were unable to secure a room and eventually left—never to be seen together again. A local tourist guide later recalled spotting the couple, accompanied by three men who spoke Hindi, which further corroborates the presence of outsiders during the critical window of disappearance.
A CALCULATED EXIT
Authorities revealed that Sonam’s initial story portrayed her as a victim. However, inconsistencies in her account and forensic evidence from the crime scene began to unravel her narrative. Pressure mounted as the investigation widened, eventually prompting her to surrender at Nandganj Police Station in Ghazipur. She was taken into protective custody and later handed over to Meghalaya Police.
As the investigation progressed, police found compelling evidence of communication between Sonam and the suspects leading up to Raja’s death. According to sources, multiple phone calls and messages were exchanged between her and Kushwaha, including instructions allegedly linked to the murder plan. Officers believe Raja was lured into the forested terrain, where he was brutally assaulted and left for dead.
FAMILY DENIALS AND CALLS FOR CBI INQUIRY
Sonam’s family has publicly rejected the allegations. Her father, Devi Singh, in an emotionally charged statement, claimed that the Meghalaya police were fabricating the case. “My daughter is innocent. She was abducted and taken to Ghazipur. These are false stories. Why would she kill her husband? The police are covering up their negligence,” he told reporters.
He further claimed that Sonam had voluntarily reached the Dhaba and contacted her family, only to be taken away without proper legal proceedings. Singh expressed serious doubts about the investigation’s integrity and announced plans to approach both the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Union Home Minister to demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
Sonam’s mother, Sangeeta, echoed similar sentiments, accusing law enforcement of falsely implicating her daughter. The family insists that Sonam has been framed and that Raja’s murder was the result of unknown assailants.
A NATION WATCHES IN HORROR
The story has captured national attention not only for its brutal nature but also for its shocking emotional betrayal. The idea that a newlywed wife could allegedly conspire to kill her husband on their honeymoon has stirred debates around trust, relationships, and the dark potential of manipulation.
“Sonam’s family has publicly rejected the allegations. Her father, Devi Singh, in an emotionally charged statement, claimed that the Meghalaya police were fabricating the case.”
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the state police for cracking the case swiftly. “Within a week, the Meghalaya Police have delivered results in a complex and emotionally charged case. I commend their efforts,” he stated on social media platform X.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has formally requested the Centre to transfer the case to the CBI. The Chief Minister also extended his condolences to Raja’s family and promised all assistance to ensure justice is served.
TIMELINE OF THE TRAGEDY
May 11: Raja and Sonam are married in Indore.
May 20: The couple leaves for Meghalaya on their honeymoon.
May 23: They go missing near Sohra; the scooter is found abandoned.
June 2: Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge; a machete was found nearby.
June 4–6: More personal effects recovered, including a smartwatch and bloodied clothing.
June 6: CCTV footage confirms the couple’s last public appearance.
June 9: Four individuals, including Sonam, are in custody.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
With arrests made and motives under the microscope, the case is now entering its next phase—interrogation and prosecution. Meghalaya Police have said that further arrests may follow as investigations into the network behind the murder deepen.
While the legal battle begins, what remains is the tragic image of a young man whose life was cut short, allegedly by the person he had vowed to spend the rest of his life with. For Raja’s family, the days ahead are not just about legal justice but emotional closure.
In a case where love turned lethal, the haunting question remains—what drives someone to turn a honeymoon into a homicide?
