Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: Prime Accused Sonam Raghuvanshi and Others to Face Court
Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in her husband Raja Raghuvanshi's murder during their Meghalaya honeymoon, is set to appear in a Shillong court. She, along with four co-accused including her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha and hired killers, were brought to Shillong under police custody. Raja's body was discovered in a gorge on June 4, weeks after the couple, married May 11, went missing on May 23.
Unpacked:
According to police and Raja’s mother, Sonam allegedly took ₹9 lakh and jewelry before the honeymoon and was involved with Raj Kushwaha, her alleged lover. Investigators believe financial gain and her extramarital relationship were the primary motives for orchestrating her husband’s murder.
Police tracked phone records and messages between Sonam and Raj Kushwaha, which showed ongoing coordination before and during the crime. Despite attempts to destroy evidence, digital traces, her suspicious behavior, and inconsistencies in her statements led investigators to identify her as the mastermind.
Besides Sonam and her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, three men—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—were accused of being hired killers. They traveled to Meghalaya, shadowed the couple, and allegedly carried out the murder using a machete, with Sonam providing key logistical support.
After the murder, the accused disposed of their phones and SIM cards to erase digital evidence. Sonam returned to Indore to meet Raj Kushwaha, then traveled to Uttar Pradesh, where she eventually surrendered at a police station, suggesting a calculated escape plan rather than acting under trauma.