A honeymoon that began with celebration ended in a chilling murder plot, as investigations reveal that Sonam Raghuvanshi, within a week of marrying Raja Raghuvanshi, orchestrated his murder with the help of her lover (Raj) and hired goons.
Marriage Marked for Murder
On May 10, 2025, Sonam and Raja were married in Indore. Merely six days into the marriage, Sonam booked a trip to Shillong, insisting Raja accompany her. What seemed like a honeymoon was, in fact, a deadly setup.
The couple arrived in Shillong via Guwahati, and were last seen on May 23, after which they were reported missing by family members.
The Discovery
On June 2, Raja’s body was recovered from a gorge near the Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra, Meghalaya. The murder weapon—was not used by local, which helped Police to give a direction in the case. This discovery proved to be the turning point in what was initially treated as a missing persons case.
Chilling Conspiracy Unraveled
Subsequent police investigation unearthed shocking details:
- Sonam had a relationship with Raj Kushwaha, a man five years younger who worked at her family’s plywood business.
- Together, Sonam and Raj plotted Raja’s murder and hired three accomplices.
- The attackers traveled to Guwahati, then moved to Shillong, and were closely following the couple.
- Sonam intentionally led Raja to the remote “Double Decker” trail — an isolated location, and after reaching there the assailants executed the killing and fled.
- CCTV footage, and eyewitnesses who saw Sonam interacting with the attackers aided in breaking the case.
Arrests
Three suspects — identified as Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), and Raj Kushwaha (21) — were arrested from various locations in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Another accomplice, Anand Kurmi (23), was later apprehended from Sagar.
Meanwhile, Sonam, who had been absconding, found in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district and has since been arrested.
Authorities Speak
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the swift investigation:
“Within a week, Meghalaya Police cracked a complex interstate murder case. The joint efforts of the SIT and local forces have brought critical suspects to justice.”
The Police investigation continues and also drilling the financial motives and the extent of premeditation involved.
A honeymoon meant to begin a new chapter ended in bloodshed, deception, and betrayal — a stark reminder of how love, when twisted by obsession and greed, can turn deadly.
