Sonam Raghuvanshi Arrested in Honeymoon Murder Case in Meghalaya
| 2025-06-10
Raja and Sonam got married on May 11. They left for their honeymoon on May 20.
Indian woman Sonam Raghuvanshi arrested in connection with husband’s murder during honeymoon in Meghalaya; police suspect premeditated crime involving accomplices.
The investigation into the disappearance of newlywed couple Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi has led to a murder case that has gripped national attention in India. The couple, who married on 11 May, were reported missing on 23 May during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. Ten days later, Raja's body was discovered in a deep gorge near the Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra.
Police identified the body using a smartwatch and a tattoo bearing his name. According to Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor, head of the Special Investigation Team in Meghalaya, the victim had sustained fatal head injuries believed to have been caused by a sharp weapon.
Sonam Raghuvanshi, who had been missing since the discovery of the body, was arrested in the early hours of 10 June after surrendering at a police station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Additional Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, Amitabh Yash, stated that Sonam initially claimed she had been drugged and taken to Ghazipur against her will, in an attempt to portray herself as a victim.
“She told her family that she was at a roadside eatery, which led to the police tracking her down. She was sent for a medical examination and is now in custody,” said Mr Yash.
However, Meghalaya police suspect the murder was carefully planned. Investigators believe Sonam was involved in an extramarital relationship with Raj Kushwaha, a 20-year-old man who worked at a tile distribution business operated by her brother.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police in Indore, Rajesh Dandotiya, Sonam and Kushwaha began planning the murder around 18 May, shortly after the couple’s wedding. The accused are believed to have hired three individuals—Vishal Chauhan, Anand Kumar, and Akash Rajput—to help carry out the killing.
All three alleged accomplices were reportedly in the vicinity on 23 May, the day the couple went missing. Investigators used Sonam’s mobile phone records to trace frequent communication with Kushwaha before and during the couple’s trip. They also claim she shared her live location with the attackers while in Meghalaya.
Raja and Sonam arrived in the state on 20 May and travelled to remote areas including Mawlakhiat village on a rented scooter. The murder is believed to have occurred on 23 May, shortly after their arrival in the Sohra region.
On 2 June, Raja’s body was recovered from a secluded location. His mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, told police that Sonam had insisted on planning the honeymoon herself, taking jewellery and ₹900,000 from her husband to book travel and accommodation.
Meghalaya police have since arrested Kushwaha and two of his alleged accomplices in Indore, while a third suspect was apprehended in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. All four are now in police custody and have been granted transit remand for questioning in Meghalaya.
“The accused believed the remote location would conceal their actions, but the evidence trail—including digital footprints and witness accounts—ultimately led us to them,” said Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police in Meghalaya.
He added, “This case is unusual in the extent of premeditation and the attempt to evade detection. However, forensic and digital evidence has played a critical role in piecing together the events.”
Context:
The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi has highlighted concerns around the use of remote tourist destinations to attempt high-profile crimes. Meghalaya, known for its scenic waterfalls and secluded areas, attracts honeymooning couples from across India.
The case also raises wider issues around digital surveillance and policing across state jurisdictions in India. The coordination between state forces—spanning Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh—was instrumental in resolving the case.
Sonam Raghuvanshi is currently being transferred to Meghalaya on a court-approved three-day transit remand. Further investigation is ongoing.
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