Meghalaya honeymoon murder: How Raja Raghuvanshi, Sonam spent their last hours together
A week after Raja Raghuwanshi's body was found in a gorge in Sohra area near the Weisawdong Falls, Meghalaya police arrested his wife Sonam in connection with the murder.
The couple from Indore, who had visited the state on their honeymoon, went missing on May 23.
While the husband's body was recovered after being spotten by a drone on June 2, Sonam remained missing, with efforts to trace her continuing. She surrendered before police at Nandganj police station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.
Meghalaya DGP I Nongrang said that apart from Sonam, three other persons had been arrested in overnight raids.
'The wife was allegedly involved in the Indore man's murder during honeymoon in Meghalaya. She had hired killers," she added. Nongrang added that the police probe was still on, with efforts underway to arrest other people who were involved in the crime.
A day before the honeymoon couple went missing, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi had arrived at Mawlakhiat village in Meghalaya on May 22.
The couple, who had rented a scooter, then visited Nongriat village where they trekked 3,000 steps down the gorge to see the famous living rootbridges, as per PTI. They stayed the night in a homestay in the village, and left the following morning on May 23. Raja's body was found 20 km from the homestay.
Their rented scooter was found abandoned near a cafe the next day on May 24, on the road between Shillong to Sohra. Following this, police were informed of their disappearance and the initial search operation was launched with the help of the locals in the village.
However, the rescue teams paused efforts on May 30 after heavy rainfall low visibility, with Sohra receiving around 500 mm of rainfall on May 29, 30 and 31, PTI quoted a weather department official as saying. After recovery, Raja's body was taken for post-mortem to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences.
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Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sonam booked Meghalaya honeymoon trip without informing Raja, made him wear Rs 10 lakh jewellery, alleges his mother
Trip booked by Sonam, says victim's mother Live Events Missing couple found days apart Sonam found at UP dhaba Police link murder to alleged affair (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Indore-based Raja Raghuvanshi was found dead in a gorge in Meghalaya nearly ten days after he and his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi went missing on their honeymoon. His mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, on Monday said Sonam had made all the bookings for the trip but had not arranged a return to Ms Uma, Sonam organised the entire trip, including the travel and stay, and may have extended the vacation to Shillong without informing either family.'Sonam booked the tickets for the trip, and she may have extended the trip to Shillong, as my son did not know about the region. Her mother told that they visited Shillong last year,' she further claimed that Raja had left home wearing over Rs 10 lakh worth of gold jewellery, including a diamond ring, chain and bracelet, as requested by Sonam.'If Sonam is involved in the murder, then she should be hanged. The police did not even tell in the morning that Sonam had been found. A CBI investigation should take place. If Sonam has not done anything, why would she be accused? Sonam had good behaviour, she used to hug me,' she also questioned Sonam's conduct, saying, > 'How is she safe? All people behind this should be strictly punished.'Raja and Sonam got married on May 11 and travelled to Cherrapunjee in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya for their honeymoon. They were last seen checking out of Balaji Homestay in Nongriat on May 22. The scooter they had rented was later found abandoned in June 2, Raja's body was discovered at the bottom of a gorge near Weisawdong Parking Lot at Riat Arliang. A machete believed to be used in the murder was recovered from the days after Raja's body was found, Sonam was located in an unconscious state at a roadside dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. She was taken to Ghazipur Medical College and later surrendered to the police. She was arrested after regaining to officials, Sonam was allegedly involved in an extramarital relationship with a man named Raj Kushwaha. Police believe she hired contract killers to murder her husband. They say she conspired with Raj Kushwaha and surrendered later under findings indicate Sonam was in regular contact with Kushwaha. CCTV footage reportedly shows three to four men from Madhya Pradesh, believed to be contract killers, in connection with the case.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Rejected guide, desperate phone call: How Meghalaya honeymoon murder case was cracked
Sonam Raghuvanshi and three men were arrested for allegedly murdering her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. The 24-year-old woman who was missing since last month was found at a dhaba near Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur, ending weeks of search and mystery. But how did police find Sonam, now an accused in the case? read more Indore couple missing in Meghalaya: Sonam Raghuvanshi — wife of the deceased Raja Raghuvanshi — along with three men accused of being contract killers hired to murder her husband during their honeymoon. Image courtesy: X The mystery surrounding the missing Indore couple in Meghalaya has finally been solved. In a major breakthrough, police on Monday confirmed the arrest of Sonam Raghuvanshi — wife of the deceased Raja Raghuvanshi — along with three men accused of being contract killers hired to murder her husband during their honeymoon. Over the last couple of weeks, the case had captured national headlines, with police launching an extensive search operation to find the missing woman. After Raja was found brutally murdered in a gorge in the Sohra region, her family suspected that the couple might have been robbed or kidnapped. But now, the case has unravelled as a cold and calculated murder plot. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But how did the police crack the case? Here's what we know When a rejected local guide became a key witness On the day Sonam and Raja went missing, the couple was trekking through a forested trail, reportedly on their way to Meghalaya's famed double-decker living root bridges in Sohra. On their way, Albert Pde, a local guide in the Nongriat village, had offered his services to newlyweds. The couple declined, choosing another guide. However, what was odd was that Pde saw them again the next day—this time, accompanied by three unknown men, climbing the 3,000 steps back to Mawlakhiat. The search for Sonam Raghuvanshi continues, nearly two weeks after she and her husband went missing in Meghalaya. Image: News18 'I saw the couple with three men on the way up. The men were walking ahead, and the woman was behind them. They were speaking in Hindi,' Albert later told the police. His statement would become central to the investigation, helping police track the suspects. Earlier, an audio clip believed to be the couple's last contact with their family before vanishing also surfaced. In the recording, accessed by India Today, Sonam was heard interacting with her mother-in-law. Sonam describes the tough terrain they were navigating. 'We're in a dense forest, nothing is available here. The climb is steep. I had told him (Raja) not to go, but he never listens. I'm exhausted. The food here isn't good either. It's hard to breathe while walking,' she says in the clip. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That phone call turned out to be the last time anyone heard from them. Eleven days after they disappeared, a police drone located Raja's decomposed body at the bottom of a gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls. Police then launched a major search operation , with more than 50 to 60 people looking for Sonam, who was still missing. 'Sonam came crying, asked for phone' The search for Sonam came to an unexpected end — not in the forests of Meghalaya, but over 1,000 kilometres away in Uttar Pradesh. She was found near a roadside dhaba in Nandganj, around 40 km from Varanasi. According to the dhaba owner, Sahil Yadav, Sonam looked distraught and asked to use his mobile phone to call home. 'It is a matter of around 1 am last night, when she came to the shop and was crying. She said that she had to call home. I gave her my mobile phone and she dialled. I asked her to sit there,' Sahil told the media, pointing to a chair nearby. #WATCH | Sahil Yadav, owner of Kashi Dhaba, where UP Police found Sonam Raghuvanshi late last night, says "Sonam came here around 1 AM. She wanted my phone to call her family members, and I gave it to her. She started crying when she called her family. I took my phone from her… — ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added that he immediately called the police. 'She was all alone when she came. I have the number of her family on my phone.' Sonam was taken to Sadar Hospital for a check-up and later shifted to a One Stop Centre for women in distress. The first photo of Sonam since her disappearance surfaced on Monday, showing her wearing a black T-shirt and track pants. According to Uttar Pradesh Police, she looked 'distraught with fever.' UP Director General of Police Rajiv Krishna said Sonam would be handed over to the Indore Police once they arrive in Ghazipur. He clarified that UP Police would not question her. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meghalaya Police claims 'contract killing' Meanwhile, the story took a dramatic turn with Meghalaya Police accusing Sonam of planning her husband's murder. 'The arrested men have revealed that the wife had hired them to kill Raghuvanshi,' said Meghalaya's Director General of Police, I Nongrang. Sources told CNN-News18 that Raj Kushwaha, who is said to have been in a relationship with Sonam Raghuvanshi, is believed to be the 'mastermind' behind Raja Raghuvanshi's murder. Sources added that the possible reason for the killing was Sonam's relationship with Raj Kushwaha, whom she had known before she got married. They also said Sonam may have booked the honeymoon trip as part of the plan to have her husband killed. Inspector General Dalton P Marak added that Sonam surrendered under pressure and would be brought back to Meghalaya. They said that while three have been arrested, one of the accused is still absconding. Earlier, Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma praised the police for making swift progress. VIDEO | Indore Couple Case: Senior BJP legislator and Meghalaya Cabinet Minister AL Hek says, 'Their whole family is blaming the police of Meghalaya. They're blaming the government of Meghalaya, and particularly, it's very shameful to blame the people of Meghalaya... They have… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 9, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved… 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant… well done,' he posted on X. Sonam's family claims innocence, demands CBI inquiry Back in Indore, Sonam's family is standing by her and demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case. Her father, Devi Singh, rejected all allegations and accused the police of spinning a false narrative. 'My daughter reached the roadside eatery, and she was crying and called from there. It was from the dhaba that the police picked her up. I haven't spoken to my daughter yet,' he told PTI. 'The police are lying,' he claimed. 'Why would my daughter do something like this? If she intended to do something like this, why would she go out travelling?" STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Indore missing couple case | Sonam Raghuvanshi's father, Devi Singh, says, "...My daughter is innocent. I have trust in my daughter. She cannot do this (kill her husband)... They got married with the consent of both families. The state (Meghalaya) Government has been… — ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2025 He alleged that Sonam was abducted and remains under threat. 'The Meghalaya Police have cooked up this story midway. My daughter is innocent,' he said, urging Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene. Neighbours in Indore were equally stunned as news of Sonam's arrest spread. 'I can't believe it, she was a well-behaved and educated girl,' one neighbour told ANI. 'The girl may be involved, but we can't claim anything. She was a nice, simple girl. We don't think she would have done it.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | Indore couple case: Here is what Sonam Raghuvanshi's neighbor says: 'I can't believe it, she was a well behaved and educated girl. I don't know if she did it or not. The girl may be involved, but we can't claim anything. She was a nice, simple girl. We don't think she… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 9, 2025 As the investigation continues, more details of the alleged plot — and what really happened on that remote trail in Meghalaya — are likely to emerge. With input from agencies
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
First photo of Raj Kushwaha, alleged lover of Sonam Raghuvanshi, emerges
In the ongoing investigation into the alleged murder of Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, the first images of Raj Kushwaha—suspected of being involved in the case—have surfaced. Meghalaya Police have accused Sonam Raghuvanshi , Raja's wife, of planning the murder and hiring contract killers, with Raj Kushwaha 's name now coming under scrutiny. Raj Kushwaha's photo surfaces amid murder plot probe Photos of Raj Kushwaha, a man identified as Sonam Raghuvanshi's former employee, have now been made public. His name was earlier mentioned by Raja's brother, Vipul Raghuvanshi, who alleged that Sonam used to frequently talk to him. Investigators are now focusing on establishing Raj Kushwaha's role in the days leading up to Raja's death in the Sohra area of Meghalaya. Raja's brother links Sonam and Raj Kushwaha Vipul Raghuvanshi had earlier told ANI that Raj Kushwaha was often in touch with Sonam over the phone. 'I had no idea about those 3–4 people till the time I did not know their names... Raj Kushwaha's name has come forward, which means Sonam can be involved in the murder... Raj Kushwaha was Sonam's employee. They would constantly talk on the phone,' he said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Verisure Alarmas, te cuida a donde vayas. Pedí tu kit con 30% OFF + guardián Alarmas Verisure Ver oferta Undo Vipul also added that he was unaware of how the couple planned their Meghalaya trip. 'They were only supposed to go to Assam to offer prayers at Maa Kamakhya Temple. After that, they said they were heading to Shillong. We don't know who out of the two planned their visit to Meghalaya. They did not book any return tickets,' he said. Sonam's family maintains innocence, alleges police framing Sonam's father, Devi Singh, has claimed that Meghalaya Police are trying to frame his daughter and demanded a CBI probe. 'Meghalaya Police are lying. They did not do any inquiry. I am 100% sure that Meghalaya Police is involved in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi... Meghalaya Police is trying to trap Sonam in this case,' he said. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT Police continue to investigate Sonam's movements Sonam Raghuvanshi was recently located at a dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. According to ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash, 'Sonam Raghuvanshi called her family members at around 3 AM and informed them that she was present at the Kashi Dhaba on Varanasi-Ghazipur main road... Sonam Raghuvanshi will be handed over to Meghalaya Police as soon as they reach Ghazipur.'
