A honeymoon tragedy in Meghalaya sparked controversy, but locals united to defend their state’s honour.
GUWAHATI: For a few days, Meghalaya, known for its clouds and picturesque beauty, became a place of safety concerns. This happened when a newlywed couple arrived for their honeymoon and went missing in the Sohra district. Sohra is home to Cherrapunji, once marketed as “India ka sabse jyada barish.” In those friendly yet harsh torrential rains, hundreds of personnel from the state police, NDRF, SDRF, and local villagers came together—not for a cultural festival, but to search for the missing couple.
What happened after the incident?
On May 23, the newlywed couple, Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi, left around 10 am for a trek and disappeared. Their scooter was found abandoned the next day on the Shillong–Sohra road, sparking a missing persons inquiry. What followed were conspiracy theories alleging that the couple was murdered by locals. Sonam’s family, from Madhya Pradesh, reportedly wrote to the Chief Minister, possibly requesting a CBI investigation.
Social media was rife with trolling, with harsh comments targeting Meghalaya, some even accusing “NE tribals” of murder. This onslaught endangered the reputation of Meghalaya’s police and locals, most of whom depend on tourism—from running cafes and shops to hosting guests in homestays.
Search operation amid pressure
As pressure mounted, authorities sprang into action. The search began with locating the couple. On June 2, Raja’s decomposed body was discovered beneath Wei Sawdong Falls—a three-tiered waterfall in Cherrapunji where the couple had gone in isolation. Even after the body’s recovery, suspicion toward locals persisted—until June 9, when Sonam surrendered in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, claiming she had been kidnapped.
Police subsequently arrested Raj Kushwaha and three other suspects. June 9 dramatically shifted the narrative, clearing Meghalaya of the false accusations. The investigation continues, with police establishing links and piecing together the case. Locals took it upon themselves to help clear Meghalaya’s name. Over 500 security personnel, including NDRF and SDRF teams, worked on the ground. Villagers assisted by providing information, and even food, to officials navigating the difficult jungle terrain.
The Sunday Guardian spoke to Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Khasi Hills District, who is spearheading the investigation. He emphasised the vital role of the locals, saying they aided the police and agencies throughout the operation. Some even offered meals to the officials working in the tough conditions near Wei Sawdong Falls. Reporters visiting Sohra found that many residents were determined to restore the region’s reputation.
Albert Pde, a local tourist guide—possibly the last person to see Raja alive—tipped off the police that three other men were with the couple, none of whom were locals. All three spoke in Hindi, leading police to widen their investigation. This lead proved crucial in the eventual arrests.
Tourists are back, regulations await
The Sunday Guardian visited Nongriat’s Living Roots Bridge and Wei Sawdong Falls, where tourists showed renewed enthusiasm. “This was a personal incident. Why blame the locals?” said Apurva from West Bengal. A family from Bihar, visiting the same spot where the couple was last seen, praised the locals’ hospitality. “I lost my wife’s purse here, and locals returned it. I give this place a 10 on 10,” said Dr Dilip.
While conspiracy theories—including claims of black magic—circulated, two things remained constant: the clouds of Meghalaya and the locals’ warm greeting, “Khublei,” a Khasi word meaning “thank you” or “blessing.” Following the case, calls for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya have gained traction. ILP is an official travel document issued by the Indian government that allows citizens to enter protected areas for a limited time.
The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO), a local pressure group, staged a demonstration in Shillong demanding ILP enforcement and condemning the defamation of the state. Donbok Dkhar, HITO President, told NewsX, “They commit crimes here and flee.
There’s no mechanism to deal with it.” Meanwhile, the Meghalaya cabinet has decided to strengthen resident safety legislation and approved a major land repurposing initiative to boost tourism infrastructure. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced that the cabinet will revisit the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) to tackle criminal activities disguised as tourism. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents while continuing to welcome genuine tourists,” Sangma said on social media. Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh added, “Meghalaya is a getaway. Tourists are like family to us. But come with clean hands— if any crime is committed, the police will come after you.”