The Meghalaya honeymoon murder case is a heart breaking story that has shocked India. A newly married couple, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, went on a honeymoon to Meghalaya, a beautiful state with hills and waterfalls. But what started as a romantic trip turned into a terrible crime. Sonam, the wife, is accused of planning her husband Raja’s murder with the help of others. This article explains what happened, how the police solved the case, what the families say, and why this story matters.
Timeline of Events
May 11, 2025: The Wedding
Raja Raghuvanshi, a 28-year-old businessman from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, married Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is 24, in a small wedding. Their families arranged the marriage, and it seemed like a happy start. A video from the wedding showed Raja smiling, but some people later said Sonam didn’t look happy, which made people wonder after the tragedy.
May 20, 2025: Honeymoon in Meghalaya
Just nine days after their wedding, Raja and Sonam went to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. Sonam planned the trip, choosing to visit the Sohra (Cherrapunji) area, known for its forests and waterfalls. Raja’s mother, Uma, said Sonam told Raja to wear expensive gold jewelry, like a chain and ring worth over ₹10 lakh (about $12,000). They arrived in Shillong on May 21 and stayed at a homestay in Nongriat village.
May 23, 2025: They Go Missing
On May 23, Raja and Sonam disappeared after leaving their homestay. Security cameras showed them wearing black jackets and carrying a white suitcase. A local guide named Albert Pde saw them with three men who spoke Hindi, which was unusual in Meghalaya. The couple’s rented scooter was found abandoned at a cafe on the Shillong-Sohra road with the keys still in it. This worried everyone, and the Meghalaya Police started a big search with drones, rescue teams, and local helpers.
June 2, 2025: Raja’s Body Found
After ten days of searching, police found Raja’s body in a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls in Sohra. His body was badly hurt, and doctors said he was killed with a sharp weapon, probably a machete. Police found a bloodstained raincoat and a machete near the body, but it wasn’t a local design. Raja’s expensive jewelry was gone, making police think it might be a robbery. Sonam was still missing, and people started wondering if she was involved.
June 8–9, 2025: Sonam Appears and Suspects Are Arrested
On June 8, Sonam showed up at a small eatery (dhaba) on the Varanasi-Ghazipur road in Uttar Pradesh. She looked upset and said she had been kidnapped. She went to the Nandganj Police Station in Ghazipur and turned herself in. The eatery owner said Sonam stayed there for two hours and told him her husband was killed in a robbery in Meghalaya. Meanwhile, Meghalaya Police arrested three men: Akash Rajput (19, from Lalitpur, UP), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22, from Indore), and Anand Kurmi (23, from Satna, MP). They also arrested Raj Kushwaha, a 21-year-old man who worked for Sonam’s brother and was reportedly her lover. Police say these men were hired by Sonam to kill Raja.
June 9–10, 2025: Sonam Taken Back to Meghalaya
On June 9, Meghalaya Police went to Ghazipur and got permission to take Sonam back for questioning. The arrested men admitted they were paid to kill Raja. Police are still looking for one more suspect. Meghalaya’s Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, said the police solved the case in just seven days, which is very fast. More updates are expected soon.
How the Police Solved the Case
The Meghalaya Police worked quickly to figure out what happened. Here are the main things they did:
- Local Guide’s Help: Albert Pde, the guide, told police he saw Raja and Sonam with three strange men. This made police think it wasn’t an accident.
- Camera and Phone Evidence: Security footage from the homestay showed the couple leaving. Phone records showed Sonam was talking to the suspects, especially Raj Kushwaha, before the murder.
- Clues at the Scene: The machete and raincoat found near Raja’s body had blood on them. The machete wasn’t from Meghalaya, which helped police track the killers. The missing jewelry suggested a planned crime.
- Confessions: The three arrested men said Sonam hired them to kill Raja, and police believe Raj Kushwaha helped plan it from Indore.
Police say Sonam planned the whole trip to set up the murder. She told Raja to wear expensive jewelry, maybe to make it look like a robbery. Raj Kushwaha stayed in Indore to act innocent and even went to Raja’s funeral to avoid suspicion.
Two Sides of the Story
The police and Sonam’s family have very different stories about what happened.
What the Police Say
The police believe Sonam planned Raja’s murder because she was having an affair with Raj Kushwaha. They say she hired the three men to kill Raja during the honeymoon. Phone calls, the guide’s statement, and the confessions of the arrested men support their story. They think Sonam pretended to be kidnapped and went to Ghazipur to avoid getting caught. The missing jewelry and her actions make police think it was all planned.
What Sonam and Her Family Say
Sonam says she didn’t do it. She claims she was kidnapped in Meghalaya, drugged, and left near Ghazipur. She says she escaped and went to the police for help. Her father, Devi Singh, says the police are lying and making up the story. He wants the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a special agency, to take over the case. Sonam’s brother says she was in shock when she reached Ghazipur, supporting her story of being a victim.
Raja’s Family’s View
Raja’s family is confused and upset. At first, they didn’t believe Sonam could do this. Raja’s mother, Uma, said Raja didn’t want to go on the honeymoon, but Sonam insisted and didn’t book return tickets. Uma also mentioned the expensive jewelry Raja was wearing, which is now missing. The family wants the CBI to investigate because they don’t fully trust the police’s story.
Why This Case Matters
This case has shocked people across India for several reasons:
- A Betrayal of Trust: A honeymoon is supposed to be a happy time for a new couple. The idea that Sonam might have planned her husband’s murder makes people feel betrayed and scared.
- Fast Police Work: The Meghalaya Police solved the case in just seven days, which is impressive. Their use of technology, like drones
Last Updated on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 5:01 pm by Ventrapati Mahitha | Published by: Ventrapati Mahitha on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 4:58 pm | News Categories: News
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