Meghalaya honeymoon murder: Mangalsutra left behind points police to wife Sonam

Dubai: In a dramatic breakthrough in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, police say a small but symbolic item left behind by the wife — a mangalsutra — triggered the investigation that ultimately led to her arrest.

Deputy Inspector General DNR Marak told NDTV that during a search of the homestay room where newlyweds Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam had stayed, police found Sonam’s mangalsutra and a ring in their suitcase.

“Why would a woman who recently got married leave her mangalsutra in a suitcase during their honeymoon?” Marak said, calling it the first major clue that shifted suspicion toward Sonam.

According to police, Sonam allegedly plotted her husband’s murder with the help of three contract killers and her 21-year-old lover, Raj Kushwaha. On May 23, while staying in Nongriat village, Sonam convinced Raja to accompany her on a scenic drive to click photos. She allegedly led him to a deserted spot, where the contract killers were lying in wait.

“She walked a bit forward pretending to click photos,” DIG Marak told NDTV. “The contract killers then came from behind and killed Raja.”

They transported his body to Mawlakhiat and dumped it in a gorge. “The other accused have said Sonam also helped them in throwing the body,” Marak added.

Police identified the five accused as:

All four men are from Indore and reportedly connected through Sonam’s family furniture business, where Kushwaha worked as an accountant.

On Wednesday, a Meghalaya court sent all five accused to eight days of police custody. Amid tight security, they were brought to the District and Sessions Court in Shillong and then taken for medical checkups.

Police said that while the accused have "more or less confessed" during preliminary interrogation, the real picture will emerge only after in-depth questioning.

“They’re all blaming each other right now,” Marak told IANS. “Only after thorough questioning would we be able to ascertain who the mastermind is and what exactly transpired.”

Uma Raghuvanshi, Raja’s mother, told NDTV she believes Sonam’s family may have known about her relationship with Raj before the marriage.

“I don’t want to accuse anyone of murder, but Sonam’s mother must know about Raj,” she said, breaking down. “I dialled Sonam one day on hearing she was fasting. I didn’t know the person I was talking to would be my son’s killer.”

Meanwhile, Raj Kushwaha’s mother has denied her son had any romantic involvement with Sonam.

Family members of Raja, meanwhile, apologised to the Meghalaya government.

Sachin Raghuvanshi, brother of Raja, apologised to the Meghalaya government and said that the image of Meghalaya had been tarnished due to the murder case.

He also thanked the Meghalaya government for standing in their support.

“I want to apologise to the Meghalaya government that because of one Sonam Raghuvanshi, the image of Meghalaya has been tarnished. The Meghalaya Police solved this case in 17 days. I want to thank the Meghalaya government for standing with us. The Meghalaya govt cares for its tourists,” the brother told ANI.

He also demanded strict action against the culprits.

Ashok Raghuvanshi, father of Raja, stated that Sonam Raghuvanshi had a ‘mangal dosh’, further stating that the murder was not the work of a lady alone.

“A lady cannot do this alone. Other people must be involved in this. She had a ‘mangal dosh’, and she thought of killing her husband and marrying someone else... My son was very innocent...” he told ANI.

The father also demanded that Sonam’s family apologise to the Meghalaya Police.

“They (Sonam’s family) should apologise to the Meghalaya Police. They have insulted the Meghalaya Police. I have faith in the Meghalaya Police. They have done a very good job. I also apologise to the Meghalaya Police for the insult they suffered. Mother of Raja, Uma Raghuvanshi, also demanded justice for her son and strict punishment of the culprits.

“I want justice for my son. The culprits should be punished. What has my son done? What was his mistake? Why was he killed?...” she told ANI.