A Shocking Twist in a Romantic Getaway Gone Wrong
A shocking twist emerged in the case of a couple from Indore who had gone missing during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. Days after the husband’s body was found in a gorge near a waterfall, the case took a dark turn: the missing wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, was found alive—only to be arrested for allegedly orchestrating her husband’s murder.
Sonam has now been taken into custody in Uttar Pradesh after what police describe as a voluntary surrender. But her family denies this account, alleging she was found and picked up by authorities, not a willing participant in the investigation. The gruesome story, filled with betrayal, secret relationships, and contract killers, has left the country stunned.
What Happened: From Honeymoon to Horror
Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, newlyweds from Indore, left for a honeymoon in the scenic East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya on May 23. Days later, Raja’s semi-decomposed body was discovered near Weisawdong Falls, identified by a tattoo on his arm. Beside the body, police found a machete suspected to be the murder weapon.
Sonam was nowhere to be found. Initially feared kidnapped or dead, she resurfaced on June 9 at a roadside ‘dhaba’ in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, where she reportedly contacted her brother, Govind. Meghalaya Police said she voluntarily surrendered, but Raja’s family disputes that narrative.
According to police, Sonam hired contract killers to murder her husband during their honeymoon. Three men—Vicky Thakur, Akash, and Anand—have been arrested, and another is still at large. Investigators believe that the murder was premeditated, possibly motivated by Sonam’s alleged affair with a man named Raj Kushwaha, described by sources as the mastermind behind the plot.
The Love Triangle and the Alleged Murder Plot
The most startling revelation in the case is the suspected love triangle involving Sonam and Raj Kushwaha, whom she reportedly knew before her marriage to Raja. Investigators allege that Sonam planned the trip to Meghalaya specifically to carry out the killing—a setting remote enough to cover up the crime and delay detection.
Police believe that Raj, with whom Sonam allegedly maintained a romantic relationship, may have helped coordinate the murder by connecting her to the hired killers. The three accused were picked up from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh after a rapid multi-state investigation. They have reportedly confessed to being paid by Sonam to execute the murder.
Conflicting Narratives: A Case of Truth vs Loyalty?
The murder case has evolved into a tug-of-war between police findings and family claims.
Meghalaya DGP I. Nongrang stated firmly: “The arrested men revealed that the wife hired them to kill Raghuvanshi.”
Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, counters: “Sonam didn’t surrender. We informed the police after we got a call from her.”
Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, has gone a step further—calling the entire case a "fabricated story" and demanding a CBI probe. “My daughter was crying when she called. Why would she kill her husband during a honeymoon?” he asked.
These conflicting stories have only added more questions. Was Sonam truly a cold-blooded mastermind or a woman caught in a web of manipulation? Was the honeymoon a trap or a romantic trip turned tragic?
A Trail of Evidence and a State-wide Manhunt
Police efforts have yielded crucial evidence:
June 2: Raja’s body found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls.
June 4: A blood-stained raincoat found near Mawkma Road.
June 9: Sonam arrested in Ghazipur after allegedly calling her brother from a roadside eatery.
Investigators are now retracing the couple’s steps through Meghalaya and examining mobile records, hotel CCTV footage, and financial transactions to piece together how and when the plot was executed.
What Happens Next?
As of now, three accused are in custody, one suspect is on the run, and Sonam is under interrogation. She will be transferred to Meghalaya for formal legal proceedings. The upcoming days will see:
· Forensic analysis of the murder weapon and other evidence.
· Digital and call data record analysis to confirm connections between Sonam and the accused.
· Possible questioning of Raj Kushwaha, if located, to determine his role.
· A formal chargesheet based on confessions, material evidence, and motive.
The case may eventually be escalated to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), depending on the evolving political and legal narrative.
A Disturbing Reminder of Love, Lies, and Loss
The alleged honeymoon murder of Raja Raghuvanshi has shocked the nation—not just for its brutality but for its layers of deceit. It has turned a moment meant to symbolize a new beginning into a horrifying end.
At its center stands a woman whose guilt or innocence will now be tested in court. If the charges are proven, it marks a chilling commentary on how pretense and betrayal can thrive beneath the surface of a seemingly happy marriage.
As authorities pursue the final fugitive and the legal process unfolds, one thing is clear: truth, no matter how twisted, will eventually surface—and justice, however delayed, must be done.
(With agency inputs)
