A chilling twist has emerged in the case of an Indore man found murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, with police confirming that his wife orchestrated the killing with the help of hired contract killers.
The 24-year-old woman, identified as Sonam Raghuvanshi, surrendered at a police station in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh days after her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found dead in a deep gorge. Meghalaya Police confirmed her arrest on Monday, June 9.
According to investigators, Sonam was reportedly in a relationship with another man, Raj Khushwaha, and conspired with him to eliminate her husband. She allegedly hired contract killers from Madhya Pradesh to carry out the murder during what was supposed to be a romantic honeymoon in the scenic Sohra (Cherrapunjee) region.
The couple had arrived in Meghalaya last month but went missing on May 23. A local tourist guide told police they were last seen in the company of three unidentified men. Nearly 10 days later, on June 2, Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge. Their rented scooter was later found abandoned in Sohrarim, miles away from the Mawlakhiat parking area, with its keys still in place.
The investigation made a breakthrough after Sonam, who had been missing, contacted her family from Ghazipur. Her family informed Indore Police, who worked with local authorities in Uttar Pradesh to locate her. She was arrested shortly after surrendering at Nandganj Police Station.
“Sonam Raghuvanshi has voluntarily surrendered and is currently in the safe custody of Uttar Pradesh Police. Legal procedures are underway for her transit,” Meghalaya Police stated. Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang confirmed Sonam’s involvement in the murder plot, adding that three individuals – including the alleged contract killers and Raj Khushwaha – have been arrested in Madhya Pradesh.
The statement from the tourist guide, who noted seeing the couple with three men on the day they vanished, proved to be a key lead in shifting the investigation toward a suspected murder conspiracy.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma also commended the swift progress in the case, praising the coordinated efforts of the police forces involved. “Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #meghalayapolice in the Raja murder case … 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant .. well done #meghalayapolice.”
