
Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: What We Know So Far
New Delhi:
In a shocking turn of events, Sonam Raghuvanshi, wife of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was found in deep gorge in Meghalaya during their honeymoon has been arrested for his murder.
According to police, the victim's wife had an affair with Raj Kushwaha, that allegedly drove her to hire contract killers to eliminate her husband. He too was arrested.
According to Raja Raghuvanshi's brother, Raj Kushwaha was Sonam's employee, and they would speak on the phone a lot.
Here's what we know so far about this case:
Raja Raghuvanshi and his newly married wife Sonam left for their honeymoon to Meghalaya on May 20.
They were reported missing on May 23 and a scooter they had rented was found abandoned at Sohrarim.
10 days later, on June 2, the man's body was found dead in a deep gorge. The search was on for his missing wife.
On June 7, police confirmed three arrests in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Yesterday (June 8), Sonam was found at a dhaba in Ghazipur and was swooped away by the cops.
Uttar Pradesh police claimed they found Sonam distraught and unwell at a dhaba in Nandganj, while Meghalaya cops asserted she "voluntarily surrendered" at the police station.
Sonam's family came out in her support and outright denied that she could murder her husband.
Raja Raghuvanshi's family has demanded justice after the victim's wife surrendered to killing him. Raja's brother, Sachin, said that Sonam being found alive raises many questions.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Gazette
35 minutes ago
- India Gazette
India to seek extradition of alleged terrorists from Canada
New Delhi believes secessionists are using the country as a base India is expected to urge Canada to expedite the extradition of 26 alleged terrorists, who government officials in New Delhi have accused of using the country as their base, according to the Deccan Herald newspaper. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the G7 summit in Alberta from June 15 to 17, and is expected to address the matter in a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Indian media outlets added. Modi is also likely to emphasize the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the countries. New Delhi officials are hopeful that Ottawa will expedite the pending extradition requests and arrest alleged gangsters and terrorists who have escaped to Canada from India, a source told the Deccan Herald. A statement from the Canadian Prime Minister's Office revealed that the two leaders have agreed to "maintain ongoing law enforcement discussions and address mutual security concerns." Certain members of Canada's Sikh community have been demanding the establishment of Khalistan, an independent ethnoreligious nation carved out of the Indian state of Punjab and surrounding areas. This movement has been central to rising tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, especially following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations that India was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a key figure in the movement. India views Khalistan activists as a national threat and has banned their organizations. It has designated the leaders of the movement, including US-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of Sikhs for Justice, as terrorists. US prosecutors alleged last year that Indian officials were involved in a plot to assassinate Pannun, who is based in New York and holds both US and Canadian citizenship. Tensions escalated in October 2024 when Canadian officials accused Indian diplomats of targeting Sikh activists in Canada, leading to mutual expulsions of diplomats. Trudeau at the time condemned India's actions as a "fundamental error," while New Delhi denied the allegations, claiming they were part of a broader strategy to undermine India for political gain. Pro-Khalistan separatists have organized protests, chanted anti-India slogans, and targeted diplomatic missions and Hindu temples, with violent attacks in Canada, the US, UK and other countries which have significant Sikh populations.


India Gazette
35 minutes ago
- India Gazette
SC grants protection from arrest to two MP-journalists alleging police assault over report on illegal sand mining
New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday granted 'protection from arrest' to two Madhya Pradesh-based journalists who alleged they were assaulted by Bhind police for reporting on illegal sand mining in the Chambal region. A bench of Justices PK Mishra and Manmohan dismissed their petition and granted the journalists liberty to approach the jurisdictional High Court (High Court of MP) within two weeks in this regard. '...Considering the allegations made in the petition, we relegate the petitioners to approach the concerned High Court within a period of two weeks from today,' the Court said in its order. The bench clarified that the journalists shall not be arrested until the concerned High Court considers the matter. Journalists Shashikant Jatav and Amarkant Singh Chouhan had moved the top court seeking protection for their lives as they claimed that Bhind police had assaulted them over their reporting on illegal sand mining in the Chambal region. As per their plea, they had been abducted, assaulted and were subjected to casteist slurs by the Bhind police. At the previous hearing, the top court refused to grant interim protection to the journalists, stating that it was unaware of the facts of the case and that a response from State authorities (respondents) in this regard was necessary before taking any decision. The Court also raised doubts over the journalists' allegations that their lives were under threat in the last hearing. Further, the Court had also taken a dim view of the fact that certain allegations had been made against an IPS officer in connection with the alleged assault on the journalists without allowing him to explain the matter. The Court also sought the responses of the Madhya Pradesh and Delhi governments to the plea in the last hearing. Today, the Court granted the journalists interim protection from being arrested and referred them to the MP High Court. (ANI)


News18
an hour ago
- News18
MP Family, Meghalaya Murder, UP Arrest: What The Law Says About Multi-State Investigations
Last Updated: Since Raja Raghuvanshi's death took place in Shillong, Meghalaya Police has the legal authority to investigate, arrest, and prosecute, no matter where the accused is located What began as a romantic getaway ended in death, disappearance, and a trail of suspicion stretching across three states – Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Uttar Pradesh. Nine days after their wedding in Gwalior, newlyweds Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam set off for what was believed to be a honeymoon to the famed Kamakhya temple in Assam. But their journey took a fatal turn in Shillong, Meghalaya; and now, the bride stands accused of murder. Raja Raghuvanshi's body was found under suspicious circumstances in Shillong, and a postmortem report, along with evidence from the crime scene, triggered a murder investigation. But the prime suspect, his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, vanished without a trace. Who Has The Right To Arrest? According to Indian criminal law, jurisdiction in murder cases lies with the state where the crime occurred. Since Raja's death took place in Shillong, Meghalaya Police has the legal authority to investigate, arrest, and prosecute, no matter where the accused is eventually located. This principle is grounded in Sections 156 and 166 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which empower police to pursue cross-state arrests through a process called 'transit remand". Before moving a suspect to another state, police must present her before a magistrate in the local jurisdiction – in this case, Ghazipur – and secure legal permission to transfer her. Mysterious Man Named Raj Kushwaha As the legal formalities unfold, the backstory of Raja and Sonam's relationship has come under renewed scrutiny. Raja's family insists it was an arranged marriage and claim the couple appeared happy in the early days. But cracks are now evident; not just in their brief union, but in the trail Sonam left behind. The family alleges that Sonam, far from being a grieving widow, was in touch with another man named Raj Kushwaha. Investigators are probing whether this alleged connection played a role in Raja's death. Mobile records and call logs are now key evidence, as police attempt to piece together whether Raja's murder was a crime of opportunity, or a premeditated act involving more than one person. Adding to the suspicion, Raja and Sonam reportedly had no return tickets booked from Shillong, an odd omission for a couple on their honeymoon. Raja's brother Vipin Raghuvanshi believes this was never a romantic trip at all, but a cold, calculated setup. 'This wasn't a honeymoon. It was a conspiracy," he told reporters, adding that if Raj Kushwaha was involved in the crime, then the plot was far deeper than anyone could imagine. What's Next In The Investigation? Meghalaya Police are now expected to appear before a court in Ghazipur to formally request transit remand. Once granted, Sonam will be taken back to Shillong for questioning. Investigators will analyse digital footprints, track Sonam's communications, and explore the possible involvement of Raj Kushwaha. Meanwhile, Raja's family is pushing for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, citing the multi-state nature of the case and potential conspiracy. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 09, 2025, 18:21 IST