Murder on honeymoon in India's Meghalaya: Wife surrenders in chilling Raja Raghuvanshi case

In a sensational murder case that has shocked India, the mysterious death of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, along with three others. The arrests follow an intensive, multi-state investigation by Meghalaya Police, in collaboration with police forces from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Meghalaya Police confirmed that three individuals — Akash, Raja Kushwaha, and Vishal Chauhan — have been arrested on charges of conspiring to murder Raja Raghuvanshi. Two of the accused, Akash and Kushwaha, were apprehended in Indore in a late-night operation on Sunday, while Vishal Chauhan was nabbed from Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The case took a darker turn with the arrest of Raja’s wife, Sonam, who surrendered at Nandganj police station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, after days on the run. According to Meghalaya Police, Sonam was the alleged mastermind of the plot, driven by an extramarital affair with Raja Kushwaha, her former employee and close acquaintance.

Sources revealed that Sonam and Kushwaha planned the murder together before Raja and Sonam left for their honeymoon. Investigators claim that Sonam deliberately chose Meghalaya as the destination, booking only one-way tickets. During the trip, on May 23, the couple went missing. Ten days later, Raja’s body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong Parking Lot at Riat Arliang, with a machete — believed to be the murder weapon — recovered nearby.

Investigators also suspect that contract killers were hired to carry out the murder. While four people are now in custody, the hunt is on for at least one more accused.

As the investigation deepens, both Raja and Sonam’s families have voiced opposing narratives.

Raja’s brother, Vipul Raghuvanshi, initially critical of the investigation, now supports the Meghalaya Police’s version after the arrests. Speaking to reporters, Vipul admitted to being unaware of the accused earlier but noted that the emerging evidence pointed toward Sonam’s involvement. “I never thought Sonam would do something like this. But since names have come up and with Raj Kushwaha being involved — her former employee — I think the Meghalaya Police is not lying,” he said. Vipul has demanded stringent punishment for those found guilty.

In sharp contrast, Sonam’s father, Devi Singh Raghuvanshi, has rejected the police’s accusations, defending his daughter’s innocence. He claimed that Sonam had no role in Raja’s murder and that Meghalaya Police were fabricating the story to cover up their own investigative failures. “They failed to protect my daughter and son-in-law, who were on their honeymoon. Now they’re trying to frame her,” Devi Singh alleged. He has called for a CBI inquiry into the matter, seeking the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The case has also sparked political controversy, with Meghalaya Minister Alexander Laloo Hek defending the state police’s handling of the case and slamming Raja’s family for initially blaming the Meghalaya government. “Our police have done an excellent job. Within seven days, they cracked the case. Those who tried to malign Meghalaya’s name should face defamation charges,” Hek said.

Backing the police, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the swift action taken, posting on social media: “Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved... well done.”

Meghalaya Police have confirmed that Sonam will be brought to Meghalaya for further court proceedings, while interrogations of the arrested individuals continue. The investigation remains active, with further arrests expected.

Meanwhile, calls for a CBI inquiry continue from Sonam’s family, while Meghalaya authorities insist they are on solid legal ground.