Honeymoon Turns Tragic: Indore Man Murdered in Meghalaya, Wife Among Accused in Chilling Crime Plot
A seemingly idyllic honeymoon in Meghalaya turned into a harrowing murder mystery, culminating in the arrest of a young bride and four accomplices, including her alleged lover.
The gruesome death of 29-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi, a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has shaken the nation and captivated the public with its sinister details.
A Honeymoon with Hidden Motives
Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, recently married on May 11, 2025, had set off for their honeymoon just nine days later.
Originally planning a trip to Kashmir, the couple changed their destination to Meghalaya due to concerns about regional instability and recent terror alerts.
They reached Mawlakhiyat village on May 22, renting a scooter and descending more than 3,000 steps to visit the famed living root bridges in Nongriat village.
The couple spent the night at a local homestay, departing early the next morning for more sightseeing.
However, May 23 would mark the last day anyone heard from them. The couple checked out around 6 a.m., and all communication with family ceased shortly after. Alarmed by the sudden silence, their relatives contacted authorities.
A Gruesome Discovery
More than a week later, on June 2, Raja’s partially decomposed body was discovered in a remote gorge near the Wei Sawdong waterfall in Meghalaya.
While his face was unrecognizable due to decomposition, a tattoo on his hand reading “Raja” aided in confirming his identity. The post-mortem revealed he had suffered two fatal blows to the head with a sharp weapon, confirming foul play.
Search efforts intensified for Sonam, who remained missing. Authorities found the abandoned scooter on May 24 near a roadside cafe along the Shillong-Sohra highway. Persistent rain in the region further hampered rescue operations.
A Plot Unveiled
On June 4, investigators uncovered more evidence near the crime scene, including a blood-stained white shirt, a strip of medicine, a shattered mobile phone screen, and a smartwatch.
These discoveries led Meghalaya Police to officially register a homicide case.
The breakthrough came from tracing call records. Meghalaya Police noted the unusual nature of the machete used in the murder, which did not match local implements, suggesting external involvement.
Further probing revealed Sonam had been in touch with one of the alleged killers just days before the crime. Her location data also placed her near the suspected conspirators before her disappearance.
The Arrests Begin
Indore’s Additional Commissioner of Police, Rajesh Dandotiya, disclosed a chilling detail: the murder had allegedly been plotted just days after the couple’s wedding.
Sonam, according to the police, was involved in an extramarital relationship with 20-year-old Raj Kushwaha, who orchestrated the plot. He allegedly recruited three accomplices – Vishal Chauhan, Anand Kumar, and Akash Rajput – to execute the murder.
On Monday, Sonam resurfaced in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, where she was found at ‘Kashi Dhaba’ on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway.
According to local police, Sonam initially claimed she had been drugged and kidnapped, attempting to mislead investigators. She contacted her family in Indore, prompting them to alert Madhya Pradesh police, who in turn coordinated with Uttar Pradesh authorities.
She was arrested shortly after and taken to the Sadar Hospital for a medical examination, before being lodged at a one-stop women’s centre.
A dhaba worker reported that Sonam had borrowed a phone to contact her family, inadvertently revealing her location. The attempt to pose as a victim ultimately backfired. UP Police Additional Director General (ADG) Amitabh Yash described her as a “poor planner” who misunderstood law enforcement procedures.
Crackdown Across States
East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem confirmed that all five suspects had been arrested across different states.
Rajput was arrested in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh; Chauhan and Kushwaha were apprehended in Indore. The arrests followed days of collaborative effort between Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh police forces.
Though Sonam was picked up from the dhaba, police clarified that she officially surrendered at the Nandganj police station in Ghazipur district.
During questioning, she denied all allegations and claimed she had been abducted. Staff at the one-stop centre said she maintained her innocence and appeared confused.
Digital Trail and Family Outcry
Following the arrests, social media saw an outpouring of grief and outrage. Instagram reels of Raja Raghuvanshi’s wedding, posted by a user claiming to be his sister Shrasti Raghuwanshi – a popular influencer with over 370,000 followers – went viral.
The reels, capturing moments of joy and celebration, stood in stark contrast to the horrifying crime that followed just days later.
Shrasti and other family members accused Sonam of premeditated murder, pointing to inconsistencies such as her booking only a one-way ticket to Meghalaya.
Raja’s brother, Vipul Raghuvanshi, told reporters that Kushwaha had worked under Sonam and that the two were in frequent contact.
A Case That Shocked the Nation
The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi has sparked national outrage, drawing attention to the alarming rise in intimate partner crimes.
The calculated manner of the crime – allegedly masterminded by the victim’s spouse and carried out during their honeymoon – has horrified the public and law enforcement alike.
Authorities continue to interrogate the accused, while the families of the victim and suspects brace for a prolonged legal battle.
Meanwhile, Raja’s tragic end, juxtaposed against scenes of his joyous wedding just weeks prior, remains etched in the public memory as a cautionary tale of betrayal, manipulation, and chilling premeditation.
