In a chilling twist to the case of a missing honeymooning couple, Meghalaya Police have arrested Sonam Raghuvanshi, wife of Raja Raghuvanshi from Indore, for allegedly orchestrating his murder during their honeymoon.
According to Director General of Police (DGP) I Nongrang, Sonam had hired three contract killers to carry out the crime.
Raja’s body was discovered on June 2 in a gorge near Cherrapunji, over a week after the couple was last seen on May 23. Initially reported missing, Sonam has now been taken into custody along with three other suspects. A fifth suspect is still being traced.
Security footage from their homestay in Sohra showed the couple dressed in black jackets, wheeling a white suitcase, adding a layer of mystery to the investigation. The footage has since circulated online.
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma announced the breakthrough on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved… 3 assailants from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, a female has surrendered, and operations are ongoing to arrest one more.”
Earlier, Raja’s family had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a CBI probe, expressing distrust in the local police investigation. His brother, Vipul Raghuvanshi, said they had submitted a letter to the PM and the MP Chief Minister demanding justice.
Further insights came from local guide Albert Pde, who said he spotted the couple with three unidentified men on May 23 in the Sohra-Mawlakhiat area. While the men spoke in Hindi, the guide — who only understands Khasi and English — couldn’t grasp the conversation. He confirmed that the couple had declined his guiding services the previous day.
The murder investigation is ongoing, with police yet to determine the motive behind the killing. Authorities are continuing their search for the fifth suspect.
