Sonam Raghuvanshi Arrest: 5 Unanswered Questions In The Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder
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Sonam Raghuvanshi is in custody, but the mystery deepens—what was the motive, who helped her, and why was Raja murdered on their honeymoon?
The Raja Raghuvanshi murder case has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of four people, including his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi who is now accused of being the main conspirator. However, several key questions remain unanswered in the case, raising fresh doubts about the motive, planning and possible involvement of others.
Raghuvanshi and his wife had gone missing while honeymooning in Meghalaya's Sohra area on May 23. His body was found in a gorge on June 2, while a search for his wife was underway.
According to Raja's elder brother Vipin Raghuvanshi, Sonam contacted her brother Govind late on Sunday night and informed him that she was in Uttar Pradesh. She was arrested in Ghazipur, and will be taken back to Meghalaya for further investigation.
The mystery unfolded when the newly-wed couple, from Indore went to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. They stayed at a homestay in Shillong on May 22.
The following day, they visited the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongrit village near Cherrapunji. On the afternoon of May 23, Sonam called her mother-in-law, breathlessly stating, 'We are in the jungle", and mentioned that she was observing the Gyaras fast. This was the last time their families heard from them, as both their phones were switched off afterwards.
A search was launched after Sonam's brother and relatives arrived in Shillong. The couple's rented scooter was found abandoned on May 24. After an eight-day search, Raja's decomposed body was discovered in a deep ditch near Wei Sawdong Waterfall on June 2.
The body was identified with the help of a tattoo that said 'Raja' on his right hand. A white T-shirt belonging to a woman was found nearby, and a post-mortem revealed that Raja had been murdered with a machete.
State police, NDRF, SDRF, and special operations teams continued searching through jungles and ditches for Sonam. Blood stains were found on a black raincoat, though it remained unconfirmed whether it belonged to Sonam. Meanwhile, Raja's body was brought back to Indore, where the last rites were performed. The family demanded a CBI inquiry and initially believed that Sonam had been kidnapped.
Sonam's brother Govind and Raja's brother Vipin were engaged in the search in Meghalaya. 'My sister is alive, she was kidnapped. The police are only looking for the body, but she should be found alive," Govind had said. The family claimed that since the area is near the Bangladesh border, perhaps Sonam was taken there.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, on Sunday night, Meghalaya Police announced the arrest of Sonam Raghuvanshi. DGP Nongrang said that three more people were detained along with Sonam. She had allegedly called her brother Govind and shared some important information, after which the police apprehended her.
What Has Been Revealed So Far
CCTV footage: In the CCTV footage dated May 22, Raja and Sonam appeared to be normal at the homestay in Shillong. The white T-shirt Sonam was wearing in the video was later found near Raja's body.
Sonam's last call: During her last known call, Sonam's mother-in-law said she sounded tired and upset. Sonam complained about the jungle and the poor quality of food.
Murder weapon: The machete recovered by police appeared new and is suspected to have been bought specifically for the murder.
5 Questions That Remained Unanswered
The motive behind Raja's murder is still uncertain—whether Sonam was directly involved or orchestrated the killing. It remains to be determined if the crime was driven by personal enmity or was part of a robbery plot.
The details of the other three arrested individuals are under scrutiny, including whether they were locals or had links to Indore.
Sonam's location and movements during the period she was believed to be missing remain unexplained, raising the possibility that she deliberately went into hiding.
The family's claim that Sonam was kidnapped is now being viewed with suspicion and may have been intended to mislead the investigation.
Police arrested Sonam in Ghazipur. However, it remains unclear how she got there. Her conversation with her brother and some newly uncovered evidence have made her a key suspect.
The arrest of Sonam has plunged Raja's family into deeper shock. Meghalaya Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to delve into the case, hoping to uncover the motive and conspiracy through the interrogation of Sonam and the other suspects.
Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly murdered by individuals hired by his wife, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, according to DGP I Nongrang.
Sonam turned herself in to the police in Ghazipur, while three other suspects were arrested in overnight raids. Following her surrender at the Nandganj police station, Sonam was taken for a medical examination.
DGP I Nongrang confirmed that the arrested men disclosed that Sonam had hired them to kill Raghuvanshi. Efforts are ongoing in Madhya Pradesh to apprehend additional individuals involved in the crime. Sources indicated that one person remains at large and has not yet been arrested.
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It has been reported that Raj Kushwaha, currently in police custody, was identified as the mastermind behind the plot. Initial investigations revealed that Sonam had a prior relationship with Raj before her marriage to Raja and that she had booked their honeymoon tickets to Meghalaya.
The three other suspects arrested in Madhya Pradesh were identified as Vicky Thakur, Akash, and Anand, who were allegedly the ones who carried out the murder.
Location :
Uttar Pradesh | Meghalaya, India
First Published:
June 09, 2025, 12:17 IST
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