The Sonam Raghuvanshi case revolves around the murder of Raja
Raja Raghuvanshi, a 29-year-old man from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, during the couple’s honeymoon in Meghalaya, India. Sonam Raghuvanshi, his 24-year-old wife, has been arrested as the primary accused, allegedly for orchestrating her husband’s murder by hiring contract killers. The case, which unfolded in May and June 2025, has drawn significant attention due to its dramatic twists, allegations of a love affair, and conflicting narratives from the families involved. Below is a detailed account of the case based on available information.Timeline of EventsMay 11, 2025: Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam Raghuvanshi, residents of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, married in an arranged marriage. According to Raja’s family, the couple appeared happy, with no reported conflicts before or after the marriage.May 20, 2025: The couple left Indore for their honeymoon, initially planning to visit the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, before traveling to Meghalaya. Their itinerary included stops in Bengaluru and Guwahati, eventually reaching Shillong, Meghalaya.May 22, 2025: Raja and Sonam arrived in Mawlakhiat village, Meghalaya, using a rented scooter. They were staying at a homestay in Nongriat village.May 23, 2025: The couple went missing after leaving their homestay in Shillong. They were last seen on CCTV footage at the homestay, both wearing black jackets and carrying a white suitcase. A local guide reported seeing them with three unknown men, which later became a critical lead in the investigation. Their rented scooter was found abandoned at a cafe along the Shillong-Sohra road, with the keys still in place, raising suspicions.May 24, 2025: The abandoned scooter prompted a search operation by the Meghalaya Police, supported by disaster relief teams and local volunteers. Rain and low visibility hampered efforts, with rescuers rappelling down cliffs and valleys to search for the couple.June 2, 2025: Raja Raghuvanshi’s decomposed body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls, approximately 20 km from the homestay in Nongriat. The body was identified by Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, via a tattoo on his hand. A post-mortem revealed that Raja had been hacked to death with a machete, with his throat slit. His gold chain, ring, watch, and a diamond bracelet were missing, initially leading police to suspect a robbery. A bloodstained machete, described as brand new, was recovered near the body.June 4, 2025: A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by a Superintendent of Police and supported by four Deputy Superintendents, was formed to investigate the case. The families of both Raja and Sonam raised concerns about the Meghalaya Police’s handling of the case, alleging negligence and demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.June 9, 2025: A major breakthrough occurred when Sonam Raghuvanshi was located at Kashi Dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway in Uttar Pradesh around 1 a.m. She reportedly arrived on foot, appeared distressed, and borrowed a phone from the dhaba owner, Sahil Yadav, to call her brother, Govind. Govind informed Raja’s family, who alerted the Uttar Pradesh Police. Sonam was taken into custody at Nandganj Police Station in Ghazipur and sent to Sadar Hospital for a medical check-up before being placed at the Sakhi One Stop Centre.June 9, 2025 (Arrests): The Meghalaya Police announced the arrest of three men in connection with Raja’s murder: Akash Rajput (19, from Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22, from Indore, Madhya Pradesh), and Raj Singh Kushwaha (21, from Indore). A fourth suspect, Anand Kurmi (23, from Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh), was arrested later that day in Basari village. All four were allegedly hired by Sonam to kill her husband. The police stated that one additional suspect remains at large.
Key Allegations and Police FindingsMurder Plot: The Meghalaya Police, led by Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang, allege that Sonam Raghuvanshi orchestrated her husband’s murder by hiring contract killers. The police claim she conspired with Raj Kushwaha, who is suspected to be her lover and an employee at a private firm registered in the name of Sonam’s brother, Gaurav Raghuvanshi. The other arrested men Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi were also linked to this firm.Motive: The police suspect the motive was linked to an alleged affair between Sonam and Raj Kushwaha. CCTV footage showed Sonam repeatedly distancing herself from Raja during the trip, and a woman’s white shirt found near the body raised suspicions. Additionally, Sonam withdrew ₹9 lakh from her bank account and carried jewelry from home before the trip, which police believe may have been used to pay the hired killers.Execution of the Crime: The police believe the honeymoon trip was part of a premeditated plan to murder Raja. The couple was last seen with three unknown men, later identified as the arrested suspects, who accompanied them during the trip. The murder took place on May 23, and the suspects fled shortly after. Raja’s body was dumped in a gorge, and Sonam went into hiding until her appearance in Ghazipur.Sonam’s Condition: When found at the dhaba, Sonam appeared disheveled and distressed. She was medically examined and reported to be physically unharmed but claimed to be “unwell” during questioning. She has not disclosed where she was hiding between May 23 and June 9.
Family Reactions and DemandsSonam’s Family: Sonam’s father, Devi Singh Raghuvanshi, has vehemently denied the allegations against his daughter, calling her innocent and accusing the Meghalaya Police of fabricating the case to cover their own negligence. He has demanded a CBI probe, alleging that the police failed to act promptly when the couple went missing. He claimed Sonam “escaped her captors” and reached Ghazipur on her own, contacting her brother for help. Sonam’s mother expressed relief at her daughter’s recovery but sorrow over Raja’s death.Raja’s Family: Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, expressed disbelief at Sonam’s alleged involvement but stated that if guilty, she should be punished. She questioned how Sonam remained unharmed while Raja was killed and noted that Sonam planned the honeymoon without booking return tickets. Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, initially doubted Sonam’s involvement but later acknowledged that Raj Kushwaha worked for Sonam’s family, suggesting she could clarify the details. The family has also demanded a CBI investigation, citing distrust in the Meghalaya Police’s handling of the case and their failure to provide a post-mortem report.
Investigation Details:Special Investigation Team (SIT): The SIT conducted simultaneous raids across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, leading to the arrests. They gathered substantial evidence, including CCTV footage, GPS data from the rented scooter, and the machete used in the crime. The investigation is ongoing, with one suspect still at large.Police Statements: Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang stated that Sonam surrendered “under pressure” and that the arrested men confessed to being hired by her. Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the arrests and suggested that the affair with Raj Kushwaha was a key motive. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the police for the breakthrough, noting that it was achieved within seven days of the body’s discovery.Controversies: Both families have criticized the Meghalaya Police for alleged negligence, claiming they ignored early leads, such as the abandoned scooter and the presence of three unknown men. The families’ distrust has fueled calls for a CBI probe, supported by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Additional DetailsCommunity Reaction: The Raghuvanshi Samaj, a community organization, stated it would consider boycotting Sonam if she is found guilty. Neighbors in Indore described Sonam as a “simple, educated girl,” expressing disbelief at the allegations.Media Coverage: The case has been widely covered in Indian media, with outlets describing it as a “love triangle” and a “chilling murder case.” Some reports have drawn parallels to other high-profile murder cases involving illicit affairs.Unanswered Questions: Several aspects remain unclear, including how Sonam traveled from Meghalaya to Ghazipur, the exact motive behind the murder, and the role of the remaining suspect. The police are also investigating whether the planning extended beyond Meghalaya to other states.Current StatusAs of June 9, 2025, Sonam Raghuvanshi and three accomplices (Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Raj Singh Kushwaha) are in custody, with Anand Kurmi detained separately. Sonam is expected to be transferred to Meghalaya for further legal proceedings. The SIT continues to investigate, with one suspect still at large. The case has sparked public outrage and debates about the Meghalaya Police’s efficiency, with both families pushing for a CBI inquiry to ensure justice.
Critical NotesThe case relies heavily on police statements and preliminary evidence, such as confessions from the arrested men and circumstantial evidence like CCTV footage and the withdrawn ₹9 lakh. However, Sonam’s lack of a confession and her father’s claims of police misconduct suggest the narrative may evolve as the investigation progresses.The families’ distrust in the Meghalaya Police highlights broader concerns about investigative transparency in high-profile cases in India.The alleged affair with Raj Kushwaha remains a police theory, pending confirmation through further interrogation.
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