Honeymoon Turns Deadly: Sonam Raghuvanshi Accused of Orchestrating Husband’s Murder in Meghalaya, Paid ₹20 Lakh to Contract Killers
In a chilling twist to what began as a honeymoon, Meghalaya Police have revealed that Sonam Raghuvanshi, a newlywed woman from Indore, allegedly conspired to murder her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon trip and paid ₹20 lakh to contract killers after the crime was committed.
The couple had tied the knot on May 11 and left for a honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 21. Just two days later, on May 23, they were reported missing. On June 2, Raja’s body was found in a deep gorge near a waterfall in Sohra (Cherrapunjee), East Khasi Hills district. Authorities believe he was killed on the same day the couple was reported missing.
Sonam, who is now at the center of a high-profile murder investigation, was arrested in Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, where she had surrendered. She was flown to Shillong the same night, following a transfer route via Patna, Kolkata, and Guwahati.
According to senior police officers investigating the case, Sonam initially handed over ₹15,000 in cash to the alleged assailants—money she reportedly took from her husband’s wallet during the murder. After the killing, she allegedly paid them an additional ₹20 lakh.
Police have also arrested Raj Kushwaha, Sonam’s alleged boyfriend, along with three other suspected contract killers from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Kushwaha, who hails from Indore like Sonam, is believed to have helped plan the murder, though he reportedly backed out at the last moment.
“Raj Kushwaha claims he withdrew from the plot and even urged the others not to go to Meghalaya. However, they proceeded, claiming they were visiting as tourists after Sonam had already booked the tickets.
Even at the final moment, the trio allegedly hesitated to commit the murder, but Sonam insisted, promising ₹15 lakh,” a senior police official from Indore, working in tandem with the Meghalaya police, told reporters.
Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Syiem confirmed that the FIR states Raja was attacked with a machete (locally known as a dao) and robbed. The circumstances and the financial transactions indicate a clear conspiracy, police say.
As the investigation unfolds, police are examining the extent of Kushwaha’s involvement. Although he did not accompany Sonam to Meghalaya, phone records reportedly confirm that he remained in contact with her throughout the trip.
According to the Meghalaya police, the accused killers posed as fellow tourists and befriended the couple during their stay. On May 23, the day of the alleged murder, Sonam reportedly pretended to be fatigued as the group approached a secluded spot near the waterfall. She is said to have walked behind Raja with the hired killers, and once isolated, gave them instructions to carry out the attack.
A Meghalaya police officer stated that investigators plan to bring Sonam and the three arrested assailants to the crime scene to reconstruct the sequence of events. “We need corroboration. It’s essential to verify the exact roles of each accused and how the plan was executed. We also plan to confront Sonam, Raj Kushwaha, and the killers with the collected evidence,” the officer added.
The case has gripped the public with its shocking blend of romance, betrayal, and brutality. What began as a celebration of marriage now stands as a grim reminder of a cold-blooded crime allegedly driven by premeditated motives. Police continue to probe the financial transactions, communication trails, and logistical details to ensure no aspect of the conspiracy remains uncovered.
