Honeymoon murder: Meghalaya minister seeks apology from Raj & Sonam's kin for 'tarnishing state's image', warns of defamation case
SHILLONG: Following the arrest of Sonam Raghuvanshi and four others in connection with the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, the state's political leadership has hit back at earlier allegations that painted Meghalaya in a poor light.
Meghalaya minister Alexander Laloo Hek said the families of Raja and Sonam owe an apology for remarks that, he claimed, tarnished the reputation of the state and its people. He also stated that if they don't apologise to the people of Meghalaya, a defamation case will be filed against them.
"Now we are seeking an apology from the families of Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi for tarnishing the image of Meghalaya and its people," Hek added.
"The people of Meghalaya demand an apology; otherwise, we will file a defamation case against them,' Hek warned.
Hek also praised the swift and efficient action taken by Meghalaya Police.
'We are thankful to the Meghalaya Police for their crackdown and complete investigation within seven days,' Hek said.
He also confirmed that Sonam Raghuvanshi will be brought back to Shillong as the investigation progresses further.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
The statement comes amid widespread public and media attention on the murder case, which unfolded during the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya.
From marriage to custody: Details on how the murder unfolded
May 11 |
Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi marry
May 15 |
She goes to her parents; begins plotting murder with lover, say police
May 20 |
Raja and Sonam leave for Kamakhya Temple. Make unscheduled trip to Meghalaya
May 23 |
Travel to Nongriat village near Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Shillong. Same day, village head alerts police that a scooter is abandoned, with keys in ignition
May 24 |
Raja's family contact police after learning about a 'missing couple' on a Trip Advisor review
May 25 |
Meghalaya police start intensive search. Raja's brother arrives in Shillong
May 27 |
Home minister Amit Shah informed about the case. CM Mohan Yadav sends police team to Shillong
June 2 |
Drone spots Raja's decomposed body in a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Waterfall. He is identified from a tattoo
June 3 |
Postmortem confirms he was killed with a 'dao'
June 4 |
Raja's body brought to Indore for funeral. Family demands CBI probe
June 6 |
14-minute CCTV footage of couple at a hotel surfaces
June 7 |
CM Yadav urges Amit Shah for CBI probe
June 8-9 |
Sonam arrested in Ghazipur, UP, 1200km from Shillong., Four others nabbed in Indore, Lalitpur & Bina
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Meghalaya murder: Sonam's call to saas on day of Raja death under cops' scanner
INDORE: A phone call between Sonam Raghuvanshi (in pic) and her mother-in-law on the day of Raja Raghuvanshi's murder has become a chilling focus of the police investigation - was Raja already dead by then, or worse, was he being led to his death while Sonam calmly spoke to his family?. ACP Poonamchand Yadav told TOI that the sequence of events shared by the accused times the murder soon after that call. "That one call haunts us," he said. "We now know from interrogations that the murder happened shortly after that phone conversation." The call was placed when the couple was reported to be on their way up after visiting a double-decker bridge in Shillong's Nongrait village. Sonam told her mother-in-law, Uma Raghuvanshi, that she would not break her 'Gyaras' fast just because they were away. When Uma called and asked her to connect with her son, Sonam replied sweetly, "Raja is walking ahead... his phone is in the bag, I'll get him to call you later." She was panting and so Uma disconnected the call. "That was the last time we ever tried to talk to her," Uma said, her voice trembling. "I could never have imagined that the daughter-in-law, speaking so gently on the phone, was actually scouting for a spot to kill my son - perhaps even moments away from doing it." Police are now analyzing call duration, location, and voice tone in what they describe as a "cold-blooded calm before the kill."
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Meghalaya honeymoon murder: Social media post from Raja Raghuvanshi's account confirmed cops' suspicions
GUWAHATI/SHILLONG: A honeymoon without a single photo. That was the first clue. Meghalaya Police SIT began suspecting foul play when they noticed newlyweds Raja & Sonam Raghuvanshi hadn't posted any pictures from their scenic trip to the northeast. That silence online opened the lid on what turned out to be a planned murder - a case codenamed unofficially by police as Operation Honeymoon. Raja Raghuvanshi, 28, a transporter from Indore, was found dead on June 2 in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills. He had disappeared on May 23 along with 24-year-old Sonam, who reappeared at a roadside dhaba in UP's Ghazipur in the early hours of June 9. She was arrested, brought to Shillong Tuesday, and will be produced before a court on Wednesday. T by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo he couple had married on May 11 and left days later for Guwahati, telling family they planned to visit the Kamakhya temple. On May 20, they reached Meghalaya. Three days later, both vanished. A rented scooter, abandoned near Shillong-Cherrapunji route, was found on May 24. It would take a nine-day search to locate Raja's body. A "dao" (machete) and phone lay nearby, with a blood-stained raincoat found a few km away. As SIT sifted through 42 surveillance videos and behaviour profiles, suspicions deepened. Footage placed Sonam meeting the alleged killers just 10km from the crime scene. The clincher came when a social media post appeared on Raja's account at 2.15am - hours after his death. Police said it was a red herring, likely posted by someone else to throw investigators off track. The conspiracy began well before the trip. Sonam, who returned to her parental home on May 15, allegedly resumed contact with her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha. Next day, Raj allegedly met three childhood friends - Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi - at a restaurant in Indore. The murder plan was allegedly sealed that evening. Raj stayed behind in Indore. The three boarded a train to Guwahati via Delhi and arrived in Shillong on May 21, police said. For the next two days, they allegedly tailed the couple with help from Sonam, who kept sending live locations. She is accused of luring Raja to secluded spots for photos, giving her co-conspirators the window they needed. Sonam's raincoat, handed to Akash, was found at crime scene.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Local emergency': Mayor Karen Bass declares curfew in downtown LA amid anti-ICE protests; nearly 200 arrested
(AP photo) Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday declared a local emergency and imposed an overnight curfew in downtown Los Angeles as protests against federal immigration raids continued for a fifth straight day. The curfew will run from 8pm Tuesday to 6am Wednesday, covering a one-square-mile area bounded by the 5, 10, and 110 freeways. 'I have declared a local emergency and issued a curfew for downtown Los Angeles to stop the vandalism, to stop the looting,' Bass announced at an evening news conference. 'If you do not live or work in downtown LA, avoid the area. Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew and you will be prosecuted.' The order comes after days of unrest sparked by a series of immigration raids carried out by federal agents in the Westlake District, downtown, and South Los Angeles Since Friday, protesters have clashed with law enforcement, resulting in nearly 200 arrests, reported by CBS news. According to Bass, at least 23 businesses were looted Monday night. The curfew exempts residents, workers, credentialed media, and people experiencing homelessness, as confirmed by LAPD chief Jim McDonnell. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Endlich, spiele das beste Farm-Spiel 2025 gratis! Sunrise Village Jetzt spielen Undo The escalating demonstrations have drawn national attention. US President Donald Trump deployed thousands of California National Guard troops and 700 US Marines to protect federal buildings, a move made without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom. 'Donald Trump is putting fuel on this fire,' Newsom wrote Sunday on X. 'Commandeering a state's National Guard without consulting the Governor of that state is illegal and immoral. California will be taking him to court.' Despite the curfew and heavy security presence, protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations, which began in response to what they say is an unjust crackdown on immigrant communities.
