Meghalaya Tourist Guide Claims Indore Couple Was With 3 Men On Day They Went Missing
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Albert Pde, a local guide at Mawlakhiat village, said that he saw the couple with three male tourists on the day of their disappearance.
A tourist guide in Meghalaya told police that the honeymooning couple from Indore who went missing on May 23 were last seen accompanied by three unidentified men, according to a PTI report.
The couple- Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam- had been vacationing in the East Khasi Hills district when they vanished from the Sohra (Cherrapunji) area. Raja Raghuvanshi 's body was recovered earlier this week, but Sonam remains missing. A multi-agency search operation is underway to trace her.
Albert Pde, a local guide at Mawlakhiat village, told PTI that he saw the couple with three male tourists while they were climbing the 3,000 steps from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat around 10 am on May 23. Albert Pde recalled offering to guide the couple a day earlier, but they had declined and hired someone else.
'I recognised them when I saw them again. The four men were ahead, and the woman was walking behind. They were speaking in Hindi, which I couldn't fully follow," Albert Pde said. He added that when he reached Mawlakhiat, the couple's scooter was no longer there.
An official confirmed to PTI that this information had been shared with local police.
What Sonam's Family Has Said
Sonam's brother, Govind, criticised the pace and direction of the investigation, accusing the Meghalaya government of treating the case as if she were already dead.
'We believe Sonam is alive. The government needs to search for her like she's alive. Bring in the CBI or any other agency," he told PTI.
Responding to the criticism, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the government was making every effort to locate the missing woman. The ongoing operation, however, has been hampered by challenging terrain, incessant rain and poor visibility.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said, 'We are doing everything we can. Our teams are working tirelessly with trained dogs and special equipment. The search will continue."
About the Author
Mallika Soni
When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"
First Published:
June 07, 2025, 23:00 IST
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