(Image source from: News18)
As the intrigue surrounding the homicide of a man from Indore during his honeymoon in Meghalaya intensifies, authorities are suggesting that the wife of the deceased may have engaged in an affair that allegedly motivated her to contract killers for her husband's murder. Raja Raghuvanshi, aged 29, and his 24-year-old wife, Sonam, were reported missing on May 23, with Raja’s body discovered in a gorge a week later. Meanwhile, Sonam was located in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, a week after their disappearance. Police in Meghalaya suspect that her affair led to Raja's death and that she conspired with her lover, Raj Kushwaha, to orchestrate the murder. Under duress, she reportedly surrendered on June 8, leading to their arrest. Limited information has been released about Raj Kushwaha, but the victim’s family has now spoken out concerning him.
According to Vipul Raghuvanshi, Raja's brother, Raj was employed by Sonam and they frequently communicated over the phone. "I have never met Raj Kushwaha; I have only heard about him," he told ANI. Although he did not directly accuse Sonam of the murder, he suggested that her involvement could be plausible if Raj Kushwaha was implicated. He pointed out inconsistencies surrounding their trip, stating that the couple had intended to visit the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati before suddenly changing their plans to go to Meghalaya. "We are unsure which of the two decided on the trip to Meghalaya. They did not purchase any return tickets," he noted. The fact that Sonam is alive has also stirred suspicion among Raja's relatives. Another brother, Sachin, remarked, "Sonam being found alive raises suspicions. Who were the other individuals involved in Raja's death?" Raja and Sonam tied the knot on May 11 and embarked on their honeymoon on May 20. The following day, they arrived in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, set against beautiful mountainous scenery. On May 23, they disappeared while en route to a popular tourist destination.
Raja’s remains were discovered on June 2, revealing that he had been brutally killed with a machete. Sonam remained unaccounted for until June 8, when she appeared in Ghazipur and reached out to her brother. Just moments later, local police apprehended her. The Uttar Pradesh police reported that they found Sonam in a distressed state, exhibiting signs of fever at a highway eatery in Nandganj, whereas Meghalaya officers claimed she “voluntarily surrendered” at the police station. The surrender, according to Dalton P Marak, Meghalaya’s Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), was under “pressure.” Meghalaya authorities have indicated that three additional individuals were arrested, two from Indore and one from Lalipur in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, Sonam’s family has vociferously defended her, categorically denying any possibility that she murdered her husband.
#WATCH | Shillong: On the Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam Raghuvanshi case, Meghalaya Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong says, "... Meghalaya Police is pleased to announce a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the recent case of the disappearance of a honeymooning couple from… pic.twitter.com/jpEqOOyse7
— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2025
"She is unable to do this. Their marriage was sanctioned by both families. Last night, my daughter visited a dhaba in Ghazipur and reached out to her brother. The police arrived at the dhaba and took her away," stated Devi Singh, Sonam's father.
Mr. Singh, while accusing the Meghalaya Police of fabricating narratives, has called for a CBI investigation, a sentiment that Raja's family supports. "Both of them were content in their marriage. I never witnessed any arguments between them. The police have not even provided the post-mortem report of my brother... We urge the Madhya Pradesh Police and the CBI to take on this investigation," expressed Vipul Raghuvanshi. He emphasized that if Sonam is found to be involved, she must face consequences.
Raja Raghuvanshi's mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, spoke highly of Sonam for her "good behavior" and maintained that she should not be labeled as a suspect if she had no role in the matter. However, if she is discovered to be complicit, the grieving mother insisted she deserves the harshest punishment.
