Inside Meghalaya honeymoon murder mystery: Bride, betrayal and a blood trail

Dubai: What began as a romantic getaway for newlyweds Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam Raghuvanshi ended in bloodshed, betrayal and a nationwide manhunt.

Seventeen days after the couple vanished in Meghalaya, Sonam resurfaced over 1,000km away at a roadside dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh — feverish, exhausted, and reportedly in tears.

According to IANS, she borrowed a phone from a stranger, broke down while speaking to her family, and set off a dramatic chain of events that blew open one of the most chilling murder mysteries in recent memory — a case now tangled in claims of contract killing, a secret affair and a love triangle gone deadly.

The case of the missing honeymooning couple from Indore — Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam Raghuvanshi — quickly spiralled into a chilling murder mystery after Raja was found dead and his wife went missing.

Late on Sunday night, Sonam arrived at a roadside dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh — visibly drained and emotionally shattered. She reportedly borrowed a mobile phone and called her family, breaking down as she spoke. A woman nearby tried to console her, but the emotional weight of the past 17 days was too much.

Moments later, her brother contacted the police, setting off a series of developments that would unravel a murder plot filled with betrayal.

Sonam, the newly-wed wife of Indore transport businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, had gone missing after Raja’s brutal killing in Shillong, where the couple had been honeymooning since May 20.

She was finally found, alone, over a thousand kilometres from the crime scene — raising more questions than answers.

Meghalaya’s Director General of Police, Idashisha Nongrang, made a stunning claim: Sonam had planned her husband’s murder, allegedly hiring professional killers. The accusation sent shockwaves across the country, adding a dark new layer to what was once seen as a case of abduction or misadventure.

Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, rejected the claims, insisting that his daughter was innocent. But evidence was piling up. Authorities had already detained five suspects: Raj Kushwaha and Vishal Chauhan were caught in Indore; Akash Rajput nearby; Anand Kurmi in Basari village in Bina; and Akash Lodhi in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh.

All five are under intense questioning, and their links to the alleged murder conspiracy are being examined.

Sonam remained at a ‘One Stop Centre’ in Uttar Pradesh, awaiting transfer to Meghalaya. Authorities in Uttar Pradesh did not interrogate her, leaving that responsibility to the Shillong Police.

Raja and Sonam’s marriage had been arranged through a matrimonial society’s introduction booklet. Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, remembered how the families had connected and how the match appeared ideal. The couple tied the knot on May 11 and set out for their honeymoon on May 20.

Their first destination was the revered Maa Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. From there, they continued to Shillong on May 23. Initially, they remained in contact with family, but all communication ceased after May 24.

Vipin, Raja’s brother, recounted that both Raja and Sonam’s phones were switched off that day, sparking concern. Alarmed, Vipin and Sonam’s brother, Govind, left Indore to search for the couple. They travelled from Indore to Bhopal, flew to Delhi, then to Guwahati, and finally drove to Shillong and onward to Sora.

During their search, they met Anil, a local moped rental operator, who guided them to a site where Raja’s rented moped had been abandoned. Their fears deepened. They then proceeded to Sohra police station, hoping for answers.

Before the trip, Sonam had briefly stayed with Raja’s family and reportedly showed no signs of marital conflict. There was no mention of a trip to Shillong, no warning signs. But Raja later told his mother that Sonam seemed distant and emotionally detached, according to IANS.

When Sonam booked the tickets, Raja was hesitant. Yet, he agreed. The family is now overcome with grief, and their trust shattered. Outside their home in Indore, relatives and supporters tore down posters calling for a CBI inquiry and set them on fire. Their chant was loud and clear: if Sonam is involved, she must be given the death penalty.

Meanwhile, the arrested suspects were transported to Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar Hospital in Indore for medical examinations under strict police supervision.

Rajesh Dandotia, Additional DCP of the Indore Crime Branch, confirmed two suspects were detained in Indore, and another nearby. Shillong Police pressed ahead with their investigation, determined to expose the truth.

In the early hours of Monday, Sonam made a call from Kashi Dhaba on the Banaras-Ghazipur highway. Indore Police relayed the alert to Ghazipur authorities, who located her quickly and took her for a medical examination.

Still, the biggest mystery lingered: how had she travelled over 1,000km, alone, after her husband’s murder? And what secrets was she carrying?

Albert Pde, a local guide from Shillong, offered a crucial lead. He told police he had seen Raja and Sonam on May 23 with three other men while trekking between Nongriat and Mawlakhiat. He had approached them a day earlier offering to be their guide, but they declined and hired another man, Vansai Ko.

The next morning, Albert spotted them again — Raja and Sonam, accompanied by three men. Albert noted that the men walked ahead, with Sonam trailing behind. He couldn’t understand their conversation, as they spoke in Hindi, while he knew only Khasi and English.

Albert also recalled that the group had spent the night at Shipra Home Stay and returned the following day — without a guide. His testimony has become a pivotal part of the investigation, shedding light on the couple’s final known movements.

Suspicion looms large over Raj Kushwaha, who previously worked for Sonam’s father and was said to be “close” to her. Reports claim he played a direct role in Raja’s killing. However, some narratives challenge that theory. Notably, Raj is five years younger than Sonam and was reportedly not even in Shillong at the time of the murder.

Vipin Raghuvanshi shared that he was informed of Sonam’s whereabouts by her brother, Govind, around 2 a.m. To confirm, they initiated a video call with her. Once verified, police in Uttar Pradesh moved in and took her into custody.

Vipin strongly denied the claim that Sonam had surrendered voluntarily — contradicting the version shared by Meghalaya Police. He added that unless Sonam herself confesses to the crime, his family will not consider her guilty.