Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: Did Sonam plot Raja's murder just 4 days after wedding? New details emerge
What began as a baffling case of missing honeymooners in the picturesque hills of Meghalaya has culminated in a chilling tale of alleged betrayal and murder.
Initially, authorities believed Raja Raghuvanshi and his new bride, Sonam, might have simply lost their way during a trek. However, the discovery of Raja's body on June 2 in a gorge, accompanied by a 'dao' (machete) and a phone, alongside a blood-stained raincoat kilometers away, quickly shifted the focus to a suspected robbery. The missing gold ring and chain from his body solidified this theory. Yet, as investigators delved deeper, the narrative took a sinister turn.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising SDRF, NDRF, and central and state intelligence units, was formed to crack the case, which had garnered nationwide attention. Both families had even called for a CBI probe. The police on Monday arrested Sonam from a dhaba in UP, along with four other suspects, including her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha.
'I didn't kill my husband': Sonam Raghuvanshi
Despite the arrests, new details continued to emerge. Sonam initially told
Ghazipur police
that miscreants had robbed and killed Raja near the falls but remained tight-lipped about her whereabouts or escape.
"I didn't kill my husband. They killed him for the jewellery," Sonam stated, referring to the four arrested men: Akash Rajput, 21, from Lalitpur (UP), Vishal Singh Chauhan, 22, and Kushwaha, 21, both from Indore, and Anand Kurmi, 23, from Satna in MP.
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Indore additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya confirmed, "Akash, Vishal and Raj were produced in court and sent on seven-day transit remand. Anand is being brought to Indore & will be presented in court Tuesday."
Raj, suspected to be the prime co-conspirator, reportedly lived near Sonam's home previously and worked as an accountant in her family business, a role he continued even after moving away a year ago. Police allege Sonam's family opposed her relationship with Raj, leading to her arranged marriage with Raja through a Kushwaha community network.
Did Sonam plot Raja's murder at her home?
Investigators said that merely four days after her wedding, when Sonam returned to her parental home for a post-marriage ritual, she allegedly plotted her husband's murder with Raj. The alleged motive was to eliminate Raja swiftly so she could reunite with Raj.
East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem alleged that Sonam was consistently sending her location to Raj throughout the trip. Investigators suspect the killers shadowed the couple after their visit to Kamakhya temple in Guwahati. Police allege that while Raj remained in Indore, Akash, Vishal, and Anand traveled by train to Assam.
"The murder weapon was purchased in Guwahati," an officer in Indore revealed. Sonam reportedly insisted on extending their stay in Shillong, a move now viewed by investigators as part of a premeditated plan.
Tourist guide Albert Pde's testimony proved crucial. He informed investigators that he saw the couple with three Hindi-speaking men on May 23 as they ascended 3,000 steps from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat, a detail that strongly suggested outsiders were shadowing the honeymooners.
"All the dots connected to indicate that there was prior planning," SP Syiem stated. He added, "We will confirm everything once the accused are interrogated together." Sonam's parents, however, have dismissed the allegations, with her father, Devi Singh, claiming his daughter is being "framed" by the police.
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Time of India
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Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Meghalaya honeymoon murder: What Raja Raghuvanshi's mother asked Govind about Sonam during his visit?
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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
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Sonam Raghuvanshi's brother cuts ties with her, ‘100%' sure she is guilty
Sonam Raghuvanshi's brother claimed on Wednesday that he was sure his sister had orchestrated the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi and stated that he had cut all ties with her, reported news agency PTI. Govind Raghuvanshi, the brother of the woman accused of killing her husband, expressed solidarity with the grieving family of Indore-based Raja and said that his sister should be hanged if found guilty of the crime. Also Read: How Sonam Raghuvanshi manipulated Raja with marriage consummation promise Sonam's brother said that he was '100 per cent' sure of his sister's involvement and said that he and his family had snapped ties with her. 'Absolutely, if Sonam is found guilty, she should be hanged straight away. I will appoint a lawyer myself to represent Raja Raghuvanshi's family in the court, ' he said. Also Read: 'Was attacked in Meghalaya, Raja died saving me': Sonam Raghuvanshi spins new story in honeymoon murder case He also visited Raja's bereaved family in Indore and consoled them. "I am with the truth. Raja Raghuvanshi's family has lost a son. I have apologised to his family. Our family has broken ties with Sonam. I do not know whether my sister Sonam has confessed her crime in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case or not, but from the evidence that is coming out, I know 100 per cent that she is the one who executed this crime," Govind emphasised. Also Read: Sonam Raghuvanshi offered ₹20 lakh to husband Raja's killers: Police's big reveal Sonam and four of her aides were arrested last month, after being accused of killing her husband during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. 29-year-old Raja and 24-year-old Sonam got married on May 11 and went "missing" during their honeymoon trip to Meghalaya on May 23. Sonam surfaced in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur on Sunday night where she surrendered after her accomplices and suspected contract killers, 19-year-old Akash Rajput, 22-year-old Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi, were arrested for their alleged role in conspiring and killing Raja. 21-year-old Raj Singh Kushwaha, who was romantically linked to Sonam, was arrested later. Police officials stated that Raja Raghuvanshi was told by his wife Sonam that she would let him consummate the marriage only after making an offering at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Sonam and her boyfriend Raj Kushwaha allegedly plotted to kill him in the jungles of Meghalaya due to their secluded nature. They killed him near Weisawdong Falls and dumped his body into a gorge. Sonam and her aides have been remanded to eight days of police custody by a local court.
