In a dramatic turn of events, the shocking murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya has seen his newlywed wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, emerge as the prime accused. Shillong police, in a blow-by-blow account, have shed light on the alleged conspiracy, revealing how Sonam, in connivance with her lover and hired accomplices, orchestrated the brutal killing before fleeing to Indore.
The investigation, described by Meghalaya Police as a “crime thriller,” has captivated national attention. The couple, Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam Raghuvanshi, married on May 11, 2025, in Indore, and left for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20. What began as a romantic getaway quickly devolved into a sinister plot.
According to police sources, the murder plan was meticulously hatched by Sonam and her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, just days after her wedding. Kushwaha, it is alleged, hired three of his friends – Anand Kumri, Akash Rajput, and Vishal Singh Chauhan – to carry out the gruesome act. The trio reportedly followed the couple to Meghalaya, maintaining contact with Sonam throughout.
On May 23, the fateful day, Sonam allegedly led her husband to a secluded, hilly area under the guise of a photoshoot. As they approached a deserted spot, Sonam reportedly fell behind, feigning tiredness, while the hired killers confronted Raja. Sources reveal that it was at this critical juncture that Sonam allegedly shouted, “Kill him!”, sealing her husband’s fate. Raja Raghuvanshi’s decomposed body was later discovered on June 2 in a deep gorge near the Wei Sawdong waterfall. A post-mortem confirmed he had sustained two fatal blows to the head with a sharp weapon.
Following the murder, Sonam went missing, triggering a multi-state search operation. Her disappearance initially led to speculation, but as the investigation deepened, suspicions turned towards her. Meghalaya police diligently tracked her movements, ultimately locating and apprehending her from a dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, after she used the dhaba owner’s phone to call her family in Indore.
Upon her apprehension, Sonam initially presented herself as a victim, claiming she was drugged and brought to Ghazipur. However, law enforcement officials, including UP Police’s Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash, have dismissed this, stating she was a “poor planner” attempting to evade justice.
Meghalaya Police are now piecing together the complete timeline, including how the killers obtained the murder weapon (allegedly a machete purchased in Guwahati) and the intricate network of communication between Sonam and her accomplices. Raj Kushwaha, who reportedly remained in Indore, is believed to have masterminded the plot from afar, maintaining constant contact with Sonam.
The arrest of Sonam, her lover Raj Kushwaha, and the three alleged contract killers has brought a significant breakthrough in the case. All accused are being brought to Shillong for further interrogation as the police aim to uncover every detail of this chilling honeymoon murder. The victim’s family has expressed disbelief and demanded a CBI inquiry, hoping for complete justice for Raja Raghuvanshi.