Indore: Raja Raghuvanshi Murdered During Honeymoon in Meghalaya; Wife Sonam Raghuvanshi Arrested

Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: In a shocking case that has stunned the nation, what began as a romantic honeymoon in Meghalaya ended in tragedy for a young couple from Indore. Raja Raghuvanshi, a tourist from Madhya Pradesh, was found dead in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls nearly 10 days after he went missing. In a chilling twist, his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating his murder with the help of three hired assailants.

According to Meghalaya Director General of Police I Nongrang, the crime appears to be a premeditated act. Sonam, 24, surrendered at Nandganj police station in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur after days of evading arrest. Meanwhile, three accomplices—one caught in Uttar Pradesh and two others in Indore—were apprehended during overnight raids by a Special Investigation Team.

The couple had left for their honeymoon on May 20, just nine days after their wedding. They arrived in Mawlakhiat on May 22 on a rented scooter. A local guide, Albert Pde, reported seeing the couple the next day climbing the steep trails from Nongriat, accompanied by three men who were speaking Hindi. This detail turned out to be crucial in tracing the suspects.

Tragically, their abandoned scooter was found on May 24 near a café on the Shillong-Sohra road, sparking a massive search operation. Raja’s body was discovered on June 2 in a deep gorge, bearing signs of foul play. His gold ring and chain were missing, and a blood-stained machete was later recovered from the area. A raincoat matching one the couple had been seen with was also found nearby.

Police believe Sonam had pre-planned the murder and lured her husband to the remote location with the help of the hired men. The motive is still under investigation, though robbery and personal enmity are being considered.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the state police for making swift progress in a high-profile case. “Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved… three assailants from Madhya Pradesh arrested, female has surrendered, and the operation is still on to catch one more assailant,” he posted on X.

In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a CBI probe into the case. Sonam’s family has also expressed dissatisfaction with the Meghalaya police, claiming that their daughter was abducted and held against her will. Her father, Devi Singh, alleged negligence in the initial investigation and urged the central government to deploy the Army earlier, suggesting it could have saved the couple.

The SIT, led by a Superintendent of Police and assisted by four Deputy Superintendents, continues to pursue leads in Madhya Pradesh to trace other individuals potentially involved.

What was meant to be a celebration of new beginnings has turned into a grim tale of betrayal and loss. As investigations deepen, the country waits for justice in one of the most disturbing crimes in recent memory.Tools