Betrayal in the Hills: Honeymoon Turns to Horror as Wife, Lover Accused in Chilling Meghalaya Murder Plot

From Vows to Violence: The Honeymoon That Ended in Blood

On May 11, 2025, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi tied the knot in Indore. Just days later, they set off on what was meant to be a blissful honeymoon across the Northeast. But by May 23, the couple had vanished in Meghalaya’s scenic Sohra region. Ten days later, Raja’s decomposed body was discovered in a deep gorge, his honeymoon had become a homicide.

Investigations revealed a sinister twist: Sonam, the grieving bride, was not a victim but the alleged mastermind. According to police, she conspired with her lover, Raj Kushwaha, and hired three young men Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), and Raj Singh Kushwaha (21), to carry out the murder. The motive? A secret affair and a chilling plan to eliminate her husband.

The murder was executed near the famed Double Decker bridge in Sohra. Raja was allegedly struck multiple times before his body was thrown into the gorge. The killers fled, and Sonam vanished, only to resurface days later in Uttar Pradesh, where she surrendered under mysterious circumstances.

Courtroom Drama: Custody Extended, Accused Under Scrutiny

On June 19, a Shillong court extended the police custody of Sonam and Raj by two more days, citing the need for further interrogation and evidence collection. The three alleged hitmen were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody, as investigators continue to piece together the timeline and motive behind the gruesome crime.

The case has sparked national outrage and intense media scrutiny. Raja’s family, devastated by the betrayal, has demanded a CBI probe, while the Raghuvanshi community has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah seeking justice.

Police have uncovered disturbing details: Sonam had saved Raj’s number under a fake identity, “Sanjay Verma” and exchanged over 100 calls with him before and after her wedding. There were reportedly three failed attempts to kill Raja before the final act in Sohra, including plans in Guwahati and Nongriat.

The murder weapon, a machete, is still missing, and Raja’s phone was allegedly destroyed by the accused to erase evidence. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recreated the crime scene and is now probing financial transactions, digital trails, and possible accomplices.

A Nation Watches: Grief, Outrage, and the Search for Justice

The case has ignited a broader conversation about trust, domestic violence, and the dark side of arranged marriages. Sonam’s family insists she is being framed, while Raja’s relatives demand the harshest punishment. Emotions are raw, and the truth remains tangled in conflicting narratives.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has responded by tightening tourism protocols. All homestays and resorts must now digitally register tourists, and the long-pending demand for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) has resurfaced, with civil society groups arguing it could prevent such crimes.

As the investigation deepens, one thing is clear: this is not just a murder case, it’s a story of love turned lethal, of trust betrayed, and of a justice system racing against time to uncover the full truth.

Conclusion:

The honeymoon murder of Raja Raghuvanshi is a haunting reminder that beneath the surface of celebration can lie secrets too dark to imagine. With Sonam and Raj in extended custody and three alleged assassins behind bars, the nation watches as the legal process unfolds. But for Raja’s family, no verdict can undo the pain of a life lost to betrayal.

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