By Indore/Shillong — What began as a joyous honeymoon trip to the scenic hills of Meghalaya turned into a gruesome murder mystery, with shocking twists unraveling each day. The bride, Sonam Raghuvanshi, now stands accused of plotting her husband Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder alongside her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, and three other accomplices. The crime has shocked the nation, triggering a multi-state investigation involving police forces from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
The Disappearance and Discovery
Raja and Sonam, residents of Indore, tied the knot on May 11 and set off to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. The couple checked out of a homestay in Nongriat village on May 23. Within hours, both went missing. Raja’s body was discovered nearly 20 km away on June 2, sending shockwaves through their families and prompting a murder investigation.
As search operations began, Sonam was reported “missing.” However, her sudden appearance in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, at a local dhaba where she surrendered to the police on June 2 night, turned the case on its head. Her arrest came after three other accused — Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Chauhan (22), and Anand Kurmi — were taken into custody in UP and MP.
Pre-Meditated Murder: Honeymoon Turned Homicide
According to Indore Police and investigators from Meghalaya, the murder was meticulously premeditated. Sonam and her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha conspired to eliminate Raja during the honeymoon trip. The murder, executed in a remote location, involved sharp weapons, as confirmed by the autopsy report which showed two deep head injuries — one from the front and one from behind.
Police officials say Raj Kushwaha did not travel to Meghalaya himself to avoid raising suspicion. Instead, he stayed in Indore, continuing his daily routine. However, three of his associates traveled with the couple under false pretenses and are believed to have carried out the actual murder.
Sonam’s Secret Return and Arrest
After Raja’s murder, Sonam reportedly traveled back to Indore and stayed in a rented flat in Dewas Naka from May 25 to May 27. This development was confirmed by Indore police based on CCTV footage and local witnesses. It was during this time that she may have planned her next steps.
On June 2, she surfaced in eastern UP, 2,000 km away from the crime scene, and surrendered at the Nandganj police station in Ghazipur, reportedly under pressure from the tightening investigation.
Police Recover Crucial Evidence
Meghalaya Police, now leading the probe, have recovered the clothes worn by accused Vishal Chauhan on the day of the murder. These clothes will be sent to a forensic lab to check for bloodstains. A 12-member team from Meghalaya has already returned with the four accused in transit custody to Shillong for further questioning.
The police also received help from a local tourist guide in Sohra, who recognized one of the suspects from photographs circulated by police. This helped place the accused at the crime scene on the day of Raja’s murder.
The Accused and Alleged Motive
Raj Kushwaha, 21, is a class 12 pass-out and worked as an accountant at Sonam’s family-owned furniture business in Indore. Though the police allege a romantic relationship between Raj and Sonam, Raj’s family has vehemently denied these claims. His mother, Chunni Devi, insisted her son was innocent and framed in the case. His sister, Suhani, told reporters that Sonam and Raj had a strictly employer-employee relationship and addressed each other as “didi” and “bhaiya.”
Despite these claims, a viral video shows Raj Kushwaha consoling Sonam’s father after Raja’s death, raising eyebrows.
Families React
Raja’s family is devastated and demands justice. His father, Ashok Raghuvanshi, called for the death penalty for all accused. His mother, Uma, expressed disbelief and heartbreak: “If Sonam liked someone else, why didn’t she refuse the marriage? Why kill my son?” she asked tearfully.
Sonam’s mother, Sangeeta, meanwhile, defended her daughter, stating, “I cannot say what happened in Meghalaya. Let there be a full and fair investigation.”
Ongoing Investigation
Officials confirmed that none of the accused have prior criminal records. The Meghalaya Police are now piecing together evidence, from autopsy reports and witness accounts to digital trails and forensic analysis.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Indore), Poonamchandra Yadav, confirmed that the forensic analysis of the clothing and mobile data may be pivotal in securing convictions. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotia said the investigation is moving swiftly with close coordination between state police forces.
As more details emerge, the case stands as a grim reminder of how relationships and trust can be manipulated to commit heinous crimes. For now, Raja’s grieving family awaits justice — and the nation watches closely.
