A web of deception and a horrifying betrayal unfolded in the serene hills of Meghalaya when what began as a post-wedding honeymoon turned into a national headline involving abduction, betrayal, and cold-blooded murder.
The mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of Indore-based tourist Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya has taken a chilling turn. On Monday, Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) I Nongrang confirmed that the case was not a mere accident or missing person’s episode but a meticulously planned murder, allegedly orchestrated by none other than his wife, Sonam. She is accused of hiring contract killers to eliminate him during their trip to the Northeast.
Raja and Sonam had recently married on May 11 and set off for their honeymoon on May 20. The couple was last seen on May 23 in Sohra (Cherrapunji), a popular tourist destination in Meghalaya, when they were spotted by a local guide climbing the treacherous trail of over 3,000 steps from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat, accompanied by three unidentified men. That was the last time anyone saw Raja alive. Their rented scooter was found abandoned the following day near a roadside café on the Shillong-Sohra route, prompting a large-scale manhunt.
For nearly ten days, the case baffled state police forces. It wasn’t until June 2 that Raja’s body was finally recovered from a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls—a spot known for its natural beauty but now etched into public memory for this gruesome crime. Investigators found key evidence near the body, including a missing gold ring, a chain, and later a bloodstained machete and a raincoat believed to belong to the couple. These signs pointed to foul play and heightened public suspicion that this was not an accidental fall or a natural death.
The chilling reality came to light after a special investigation team (SIT) working tirelessly across states managed to crack the case. According to DGP Nongrang, Sonam surrendered at Nandganj police station in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district. Her arrest followed the overnight capture of three accused men—one from Uttar Pradesh and two others from Indore. Interrogation revealed a shocking plot: the wife had allegedly hired these men to kill Raja, leading to what now appears to be a premeditated murder masked under the guise of a honeymoon.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma took to social media to commend the swift work of the state police, noting that the breakthrough came within just a week of Raja’s body being recovered. “Three assailants from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, and the female suspect has surrendered. The operation is still on to apprehend another individual involved. Well done to #MeghalayaPolice,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, the families of both Raja and Sonam have demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, citing dissatisfaction with the investigation. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has formally requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to initiate a CBI inquiry into the matter.
Sonam’s family, particularly her father Devi Singh Raghuvanshi, maintains that she was abducted and not involved in any wrongdoing. “The police have been negligent from the beginning. If the Army had been deployed when we requested, both would have been found safely. My daughter is still not safe,” he told PTI, casting doubt over the Meghalaya Police’s handling of the case.
What has shaken the public further is the layered nature of deceit. Tour guide Albert Pde, who had seen the couple with the three Hindi-speaking men on May 23, later recalled that he had offered to escort them to the Living Root Bridge, but they had opted for another guide. His testimony became crucial in establishing the timeline and the presence of outsiders.
The murder has become a national talking point, stirring debates on safety, trust, and the sinister potential of personal betrayal. It also shines a light on how scenic tourist trails and popular honeymoon destinations can unexpectedly become crime scenes when dark motives travel alongside innocent plans.
As investigations continue and the search for one more suspect remains active, the shocking story of Raja Raghuvanshi’s final days serves as a grim reminder that sometimes the greatest threat can come from the closest quarters.
This is a web-generated premium news feature story based on official sources and public reports.
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