In a chilling twist to a honeymoon tragedy, police have revealed that a newlywed man from Indore was allegedly murdered in Meghalaya by assassins hired by his wife and her lover. The incident, which spanned across three states, has led to multiple arrests and a deeper investigation.
Murder Plot Hatched Just Days After Wedding
Raja Raghuvanshi, 20, had married Sonam, 25, just a week before their honeymoon. According to Indore’s Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Rajesh Dandotiya, Sonam’s alleged lover Raj Kushwaha orchestrated the murder with three accomplices — Vishal Chauhan, Anand Kumar, and Akash Rajput. Investigators claim Sonam was fully aware of the plan and helped by sharing the couple’s location with the killers.
Dandotiya said Kushwaha worked at a tile distribution firm owned by Sonam’s brother and had a relationship with her. The suspects were tracked using Sonam’s call records, which showed consistent communication with Kushwaha.
Crackdown Across States Leads to Arrests
A Meghalaya Police team reached Indore on Sunday and arrested Kushwaha and Chauhan. Anand Kumar was picked up from Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, while Akash Rajput remains absconding. Meanwhile, Sonam was traced to a roadside eatery in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, more than 1,200 km away from the crime scene.
Restaurant owner Sahil Yadav recalled, “She was crying and asked for a phone to call her family. She sat quietly until police arrived.”
Family in Shock, Demands Federal Probe
Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, expressed disbelief. “My daughter cannot kill anyone. I do not trust Meghalaya Police. I still demand a CBI inquiry into the matter,” he said.
Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, insisted Sonam was involved. “She and her brother were in touch with Kushwaha, who worked in our office,” he stated.
Search Operation and Murder Discovery
The couple was reported missing on May 23 from Sohra, 50 km from Shillong. A week later, Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls after a drone spotted it. His identity was confirmed by a “Raja” tattoo on his right hand. Alongside his body, officials recovered a white shirt, medicine, smartwatch, and parts of a phone.
Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the case breakthrough came within a week. DGP I Nongrang confirmed that the arrests were made after a trekking guide recalled seeing the couple with three men on the day Raja was last seen. The guide said Raja walked with the men while Sonam followed behind.
Suspicious Clues and Ongoing Forensics
A smashed phone and a machete were recovered from the gorge. The machete’s design — plastic-wrapped handle instead of traditional wood — was flagged as unusual for the region. Authorities suspect it could be the murder weapon and have sent it for forensic analysis.
The scooter rented by the couple was found abandoned in Sohrarim, 25 km from the gorge, with the ignition key still inside amid heavy rain and strong winds.
Special Investigation Team Formed
The police registered a homicide case and launched a massive search involving the Meghalaya Police, State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, fire services, dog squads, and volunteers from the West Jaiñtia Hills Adventurers and Mountaineering Association.
Authorities have formed a Special Investigation Team to probe deeper into what they now describe as a planned and deliberate homicide, not an accident.