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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Honeymoon horror: How ‘killer bride' Sonam Raghuvanshi fled from Meghalaya after husband's murder
How 'killer bride' Sonam Raghuvanshi escaped Meghalaya after husband's murder NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh police on Tuesday revealed that Sonam Raghuvanshi, who allegedly orchestrated the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, had travelled over 2,000 km back to Indore before resurfacing a fortnight later at a dhaba in Uttar Pradesh. Sonam, who vanished on May 23 near Wei Sawdong Falls in East Khasi Hills, reappeared gaunt and silent in Ghazipur on June 9, a week after Raja's body was found in a gorge near the falls parking lot on June 2. While she had claimed abduction and drugging, Indore police rejected the claim outright. 'We have information that Sonam reached Indore between May 25 and May 27 by train and stayed in a rented room in Dewas Gate,' said additional DCP (crime branch) Rajesh Dandotiya. 'Raj Kushwaha, her co-accused, met her there. He later arranged a taxi to UP.' Police believe Sonam left Shillong soon after the crime, taking an intentionally convoluted route through Siliguri, travelling to Guwahati and then boarding a train to Patna. From there, she appears to have taken an indirect route to Indore, dodging flight bookings and digital footprints to confuse investigators. A senior UP police official confirmed, 'We have CCTV footage of her getting off a Guwahati-Patna train. The route was chosen to misguide investigators.' CCTV and surveillance data, along with behavioural analysis from 42 video clips, showed Sonam meeting with contract killers around 10 km from the crime scene. Police also discovered a crucial clue, a raincoat provided by Sonam to one of the accused, Akash Rajput, and a matching jacket worn by another suspect. A mobile screen from Raja's phone was also recovered. Investigators found a machete used in the murder, reportedly bought near Guwahati railway station, not resembling local weapons in Meghalaya, suggesting premeditation. One suspect, Anand Kurmi, was wearing the same attire from the day of the murder when arrested. After returning to Indore, Sonam plotted her next move in a rented room and was later sent to Ghazipur via Varanasi, aided by a hired driver. Police have not yet disclosed why she was sent to Uttar Pradesh. Sonam remained untraceable from May 23 until her surrender in Ghazipur on June 9. Her reappearance deepened the mystery, but coordinated efforts by Shillong Police and Indore Crime Branch led to five arrests across Madhya Pradesh. Operation Honeymoon, the unofficial codename for the investigation, was launched by Meghalaya Police on June 7, culminating in major breakthroughs by June 8. Police sources revealed that within four days, Sonam's direct involvement was confirmed. Sonam Raghuvanshi was brought to Shillong on Tuesday night and will be produced before a local court on Wednesday.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Meghalaya honeymoon murder: Accused Raj Kushwaha confesses to crime, says Sonam Raghuwanshi stood there and watched him being killed
In a shocking development, the Indore Crime Branch has said that four men accused of murdering local businessman Raja Raghuvanshi have admitted to the crime. According to ACP Poonam Chand Yadav, the men confessed during questioning and revealed chilling details about the incident. Speaking to India Today TV , ACP Yadav shared that Raja's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, was reportedly present at the time of the murder and didn't intervene. 'She stood there and watched everything,' he said. The crime took place in a remote area where Raja was attacked by the group. Vishal Thakur, also known as Vicky, was the first to strike, as per the confession. The group then dumped Raja's body into a deep gorge. 'All four accused have confessed to killing Raja Raghuvanshi,' Yadav said. 'The first blow was struck by Vishal alias Vicky Thakur.' After the murder, three of the accused, named Vishal, Akash, and Anand, fled Indore by train. They kept switching trains to avoid getting caught and eventually made their way to Meghalaya. They first stopped in Guwahati before heading to Shillong. Meanwhile, Raj Kushwaha, who is believed to be in a relationship with Sonam, stayed in Indore. Police allege that he helped fund the escape by giving each of the three men around Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 for travel expenses. The accused told investigators that Sonam was present at the murder scene. However, what's still uncertain is where she went afterward. ACP Yadav said it's not yet clear whether she returned to Indore or stayed back in Meghalaya. That part of the investigation is ongoing with help from local police there. About the murder Raja Raghuvanshi, a businessman from Indore, had married Sonam on May 10. Barely a few days into their married life, the couple travelled to Shillong for their honeymoon. On May 21, they rented a scooter to explore the popular Sohra region, but they went missing the very next day. Tragedy struck on June 2 when Raja's body was discovered in a deep gorge near Cherrapunji. It was badly decomposed and had multiple stab wounds, including two fatal blows to the head. The investigation took a shocking turn on June 9 when Sonam suddenly surrendered at a roadside eatery (dhaba) in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district. Since then, questions have swirled around her role in the crime. While her father insists she is being framed and claims the police are 'making up stories,' the accused in the case have reportedly confessed to her being present at the scene when Raja was killed. According to the police, Sonam was frequently in touch with Raj Kushwaha, who is believed to be her lover and co-conspirator. Despite these claims, the families of the accused, especially Raj Kushwaha's, have stood by them. Raj's mother broke down in front of the media, saying, 'My son is innocent. He always helped people. He didn't even know Sonam.' His sister also insisted he was working at the time and could not have been involved. Sonam's father has gone a step further, accusing the Meghalaya Police of twisting facts and demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI for a fair investigation. The case continues to unfold, with more twists expected as officials dig deeper into the alleged conspiracy.
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
Raja Raghuvanshi murder accused confess to crime, say wife watched killing
Four men accused of killing Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi have confessed to the crime, the Indore Crime Branch said on Tuesday. According to ACP Poonam Chand Yadav, who spoke exclusively to India Today TV, the accused not only admitted to carrying out the murder but also revealed that Raja's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, was present at the scene and 'watched her husband die.'advertisement'All four accused have confessed to killing Raja Raghuvanshi,' Yadav said. 'The first blow was struck by Vishal alias Vicky Thakur."During the interrogation, the accused revealed how the group attacked Raja Raghuvanshi and later threw his body into a deep PLAN, CROSS-COUNTRY TRAIL As per the Crime Branch's investigation, three of the accused, Vishal, Akash, and Anand, left Indore by train. They changed several trains to reach Meghalaya, first going to Guwahati and then on to Shillong, ACP Yadav Kushwaha, who is alleged to be Sonam's lover and co-conspirator, stayed behind in Indore but is alleged to have financially supported the three with Rs 40,000-50,000 each for their travel accused told the police that Sonam was present on the spot when Raja was killed and watched remains unclear is whether Sonam stayed back in Meghalaya after the killing or returned to Indore. 'That detail is yet to be confirmed by Meghalaya Police,' ACP Yadav THE CASERaja Raghuvanshi had married Sonam on May 10 in Indore. Just days later, the couple arrived in Shillong for their honeymoon. On May 21, the couple hired a scooter to visit the scenic Sohra region. They went missing the following day. On June 2, Raja's decomposed body was recovered from a gorge near Cherrapunji, bearing multiple sharp injuries, including two fatal head case took a dramatic turn when Sonam surrendered at a dhaba in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district on June 9. Though her father has maintained her innocence and accused police of 'fabricating stories,' the accused have now confessed to Sonam's presence during the was allegedly in constant contact with Raj Kushwaha over the phone throughout the trip, raising suspicion of an ongoing affair and a joint conspiracy to kill DENY INVOLVEMENTMeanwhile, the families of the accused, especially Kushwaha, have vehemently denied the allegations. 'My son is innocent. He helped people and never had any friendship with Sonam,' Raj's mother had said in a tearful plea. His sister echoed the sentiment, demanding his release and insisting he was at work during the father, too, has accused Meghalaya Police of 'spinning stories' and has demanded a CBI probe into the InMust Watch
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Operation Honeymoon: Police Share How Sonam, 4 Others Were Arrested For Raja Raghuvanshi's Murder
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem revealed that the case was codenamed Operation Honeymoon soon after the FIR was registered and a SIT was formed. Meghalaya Police on Tuesday revealed that the operation to crack the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case and catch the accused was called Operation Honeymoon. The operation, which involved meticulous coordination between Shillong Police and Indore Crime Branch, has led to the arrest of five accused, including Raja's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi. Speaking to the media, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem revealed that the case was codenamed Operation Honeymoon soon after the FIR was registered and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed. 'Teams worked across various angles, piecing evidence together. Within three to four days, we were able to confirm Sonam's direct involvement in the crime," said Syiem while speaking to news agency IANS. Around 20 officers were involved in tracking down and arresting the suspects across multiple states, Syiem told CNN-News18. The murder took place during the couple's honeymoon trip to Shillong, but suspicions began to arise when Sonam failed to share any photos from the trip. Alarm bells rang further when, after Raja's murder, photos were posted from his social media account at 2:15 AM – which, police sources say, was clearly an attempt to mislead. According to sources, CCTV footage emerged showing Sonam meeting the hired killers at least 10 km away from the crime scene. After the alleged murder, Sonam fled Shillong and took a convoluted route – traveling via Siliguri to Indore, staying briefly in a rented accommodation, and eventually making her way to Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh via Varanasi, with the help of a driver, police sources told CNN-News18. Meanwhile, the Indore Crime Branch and Shillong Police searched the homes of the accused. Vishal Singh Chauhan, one of the four hired killers, confessed during interrogation and handed over the clothes he wore during the crime. ACP Poonamchand Yadav confirmed the recovery and stated that his mobile phone was still being traced. Evidence from the crime scene included a raincoat belonging to Sonam, which she had given to Akash, one of the killers, and a jacket that matched one worn by another accused. A mobile screen from Raja's phone was also recovered. Notably, Anand, another accused, was found wearing the same clothes from the day of the murder when he was arrested. The murder weapon was traced back to near Guwahati Railway Station, adding further clues to the well-orchestrated crime. On June 7, Meghalaya Police formally launched Operation Honeymoon and, by June 8, multiple arrests were made across Madhya Pradesh. First Published:
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Time of India
MD drugs valued at Rs 70L seized, major trafficker arrested
Indore: In a significant crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, Indore police on Monday revealed they arrested a major drug trafficker and seized 76 grams of MD (Mephedrone) drugs with an estimated market value of Rs 70 lakh under 'Operation Eagle Claw'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The accused, identified as Tahir alias Sandy Bala Shah (28), a resident of Aman Nagar in Musakhedi, has a history of MD drug-related offences registered against him at various police stations. Senior police officials said that while patrolling near Ralamandal Road in Tejaji Nagar area, the police team spotted a man walking, who appeared restless upon seeing the police and attempted to flee. With the help of the accompanying force, the suspect was caught. During questioning, he identified himself as Tahir alias Sandy Bala Shah. A subsequent search revealed the 76 grams of MD drugs in his possession. The accused was arrested under Section 8/22 of the NDPS Act, and a case was registered against him at Tejaji Nagar police station. Further interrogation is underway regarding the purchase, sale and transportation of the illegal MD drugs. BOX: Man arrested for trafficking of brown sugar Indore: The Indore Crime Branch team on Monday said that acting on confidential intelligence, they arrested a person involved in the sale and distribution of brown sugar. The Crime Branch team, while checking for suspicious persons near the railway tracks under the MR10 bridge, noticed a person acting suspiciously. Upon seeing the police, the man tried to flee but he was promptly stopped. The accused identified himself as Vishal Pasaya, 30, a resident of North Musakhedi. During preliminary questioning, Pasaya confessed to being a drug addict, who purchased illegal drugs at cheap prices to satisfy his drug needs and then sold them at higher prices to other addicts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Police seized 20 grams of illegal brown sugar and one mobile phone from his possession. A case was registered against him under Section 8/21 of the NDPS Act at the Crime Branch Police Station and further legal action is being pursued based on the ongoing investigation.
