Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam were on their honeymoon in Meghalaya, and now it has turned a into murder case with five already arrested. Investigators find that Sonam had asked him to visit Kamakhya Temple as she wanted to seek the blessing of the goddess.&nbsp;"Sonam convinced her husband Raja that they need to make offerings at the Kamakhya Devi Temple before consummating the marriage," a police officer who is a part of the investigation told news agency PTI.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-murder-case-if-sonam-is-responsible-she-will-be-punished-raja-raghuvanshi-s-mother-on-son-s-death-1749466893170">Meghalaya murder case | 'If Sonam is responsible, she will be punished': Raja Raghuvanshi's mother on son's death</a>&nbsp;The officer added, "Sonam coerced her husband to take her to the deep jungles of Nongriat with the belief that the hitmen she hired would have a better chance of killing him somewhere on the route, considering it is secluded. But, since there were too many tourists trekking to Nongriat on May 22 and May 23, they couldn't kill him there."&nbsp;Earlier, while talking to the media, Raja's mother said, "We had wholeheartedly accepted her, if Sonam is responsible in any way, she will be punished," she added. If Sonam loved my son, she wouldn't have left my son to die. How is she safe? All people behind this should be strictly punished."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/family-reveals-new-details-in-meghalaya-murder-case-sonam-had-two-phones-raja-raghuvanshi-raj-kushwaha-1749638775388">‘Sonam had two phones, she told us...’: Family reveals new details in Meghalaya murder case</a>&nbsp;The couple got married in Madhya Pradesh on May 11 and were in Meghalaya on May 20. Raja went missing from the East Khasi Hills district on May 23, and he was found dead near Wei Sawdong Falls, 11 days later. On Monday (June 9), the wife, Sonam, surrendered herself to Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur Police.&nbsp;

Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam were on their honeymoon in Meghalaya, and now it has turned a into murder case with five already arrested. Investigators find that Sonam had asked him to visit Kamakhya Temple as she wanted to seek the blessing of the goddess.

Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam were on their honeymoon in Meghalaya, and now it has turned a into murder case with five already arrested. Investigators find that Sonam had asked him to visit Kamakhya Temple as she wanted to seek the blessing of the goddess. "Sonam convinced her husband Raja that they need to make offerings at the Kamakhya Devi Temple before consummating the marriage," a police officer who is a part of the investigation told news agency PTI. Also read: Meghalaya murder case | 'If Sonam is responsible, she will be punished': Raja Raghuvanshi's mother on son's death The officer added, "Sonam coerced her husband to take her to the deep jungles of Nongriat with the belief that the hitmen she hired would have a better chance of killing him somewhere on the route, considering it is secluded. But, since there were too many tourists trekking to Nongriat on May 22 and May 23, they couldn't kill him there." Earlier, while talking to the media, Raja's mother said, "We had wholeheartedly accepted her, if Sonam is responsible in any way, she will be punished," she added. If Sonam loved my son, she wouldn't have left my son to die. How is she safe? All people behind this should be strictly punished." Also read: ‘Sonam had two phones, she told us...’: Family reveals new details in Meghalaya murder case The couple got married in Madhya Pradesh on May 11 and were in Meghalaya on May 20. Raja went missing from the East Khasi Hills district on May 23, and he was found dead near Wei Sawdong Falls, 11 days later. On Monday (June 9), the wife, Sonam, surrendered herself to Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur Police.

Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam were on their honeymoon in Meghalaya, and now it has turned a into murder case with five already arrested. Investigators find that Sonam had asked him to visit Kamakhya Temple as she wanted to seek the blessing of the goddess.

'Sonam convinced Raja that they need to make offerings at the Kamakhya Devi Temple': What Police Said

With new revelations surfacing every day in the Meghalaya murder case, a new one is now making the rounds.&nbsp;As per reports, Sonam has now come up with a new story where she allegedly told Sahil, the owner of the roadside eatery where she was found that she married Raja Raghuvanshi in May 2025 and the two went to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. Sonam claimed some men tried to snatch her jewellery and Raja died trying to protect her. She added that she fainted lost consciousness and was not aware as to how she reached Ghazipur.&nbsp;Police have rejected this version. Meghalaya Police say Sonam planned Raja’s murder with her alleged partner Raj Kushwaha and three contract killers.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the police said that Sonam paid ₹15 lakh to Raj Kushwaha and other accused for murdering her husband on their honeymoon. The Meghalaya Police said that Raj said he dropped the plan to go to Shillong and even suggested others do the same, but it was Sonam who insisted.&nbsp;Anand Kurmi, one of the accused arrested for killing the Indore man Raja Raghuvanshi, revealed that he was trekking with Sonam Raghuvanshi and her husband on May 23. During an interrogation by the police, Anand confessed that it was Sonam who insisted that the accused men join her and Raja.&nbsp;He said that Sonam told Raja that since the area they were in was in the forest, she was scared, and it would be better if more people stayed there. Raja agreed and let the four men join him and Sonam on the trek. Police said that after this, the wife allegedly murdered Raja with Raj Kushwaha and other men. Moreover, police also claimed that Sonam Raghuvanshi returned to Indore after allegedly murdering her husband and met with her “lover” to plan her next move. The Madhya Pradesh Police claimed that Sonam met Raj Kushwaha in a rented room and planned ahead. She later went 2,000km away to Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;Police have further alleged that Sonam was deliberately confusing authorities to affect the investigation. Police are also examining CCTV footage, and Railway records show that she may have taken a train from Guwahati to Patna after May 23-24 to confuse police and lead the investigation by dodging flight records.

Meghalaya murder Sonam spins a new story says Raja died while saving me cops reject her claims

With new revelations surfacing every day in the Meghalaya murder case, a new one is now making the rounds. As per reports, Sonam has now come up with a new story where she allegedly told Sahil, the owner of the roadside eatery where she was found that she married Raja Raghuvanshi in May 2025 and the two went to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. Sonam claimed some men tried to snatch her jewellery and Raja died trying to protect her. She added that she fainted lost consciousness and was not aware as to how she reached Ghazipur. Police have rejected this version. Meghalaya Police say Sonam planned Raja’s murder with her alleged partner Raj Kushwaha and three contract killers. Meanwhile, the police said that Sonam paid ₹15 lakh to Raj Kushwaha and other accused for murdering her husband on their honeymoon. The Meghalaya Police said that Raj said he dropped the plan to go to Shillong and even suggested others do the same, but it was Sonam who insisted. Anand Kurmi, one of the accused arrested for killing the Indore man Raja Raghuvanshi, revealed that he was trekking with Sonam Raghuvanshi and her husband on May 23. During an interrogation by the police, Anand confessed that it was Sonam who insisted that the accused men join her and Raja. He said that Sonam told Raja that since the area they were in was in the forest, she was scared, and it would be better if more people stayed there. Raja agreed and let the four men join him and Sonam on the trek. Police said that after this, the wife allegedly murdered Raja with Raj Kushwaha and other men. Moreover, police also claimed that Sonam Raghuvanshi returned to Indore after allegedly murdering her husband and met with her “lover” to plan her next move. The Madhya Pradesh Police claimed that Sonam met Raj Kushwaha in a rented room and planned ahead. She later went 2,000km away to Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Police have further alleged that Sonam was deliberately confusing authorities to affect the investigation. Police are also examining CCTV footage, and Railway records show that she may have taken a train from Guwahati to Patna after May 23-24 to confuse police and lead the investigation by dodging flight records.

After the wedding, Sonam chose Shillong as the destination of her honeymoon

Meghalaya murder: Sonam spins a new story, says 'Raja died while saving me'; cops reject her claims

Sonam Raghuvanshi, who had been missing for more than two weeks after her husband Raja Raghuvanshi was found dead during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, was arrested in the early hours of Monday. She reportedly surrendered at Nandganj Police Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district and was taken into custody around 1 am.Sonam had vanished soon after Raja’s body was discovered in a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra. His identity was confirmed by a tattoo on his hand reading “Raja” and a smartwatch on his wrist.<h2>Transit remand and arrests of co-accused</h2>A court in Ghazipur sent Sonam into three-day transit remand, and the Meghalaya police are now taking her to the state for further investigation.Three other individuals have also been arrested in connection with the murder, Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chauhan, and Akash Rajput, following their appearance in an Indore court. The trio has been placed under seven-day transit custody of the Meghalaya police.<h2>Chilling murder plot linked to love affair</h2>According to the Indore Police, Sonam was allegedly in a relationship with Raj Kushwaha, an employee at her brother’s tile distribution company. Kushwaha, 20, and Sonam, 25, are accused of plotting Raja’s murder just days after the couple’s 11 May wedding.On 18 May, they allegedly began planning the murder. Police say Kushwaha hired three accomplices, Vishal Chauhan, Anand Kumar, and Akash Rajput, to execute the plan.Investigators claim Sonam shared the couple’s live location with the killers and maintained frequent contact with Kushwaha during their trip, as shown in her call records.<h2>Timeline: From honeymoon to horror</h2>The couple left for their honeymoon on 20 May and reached Mawlakhiat village in Meghalaya on 22 May. The next day, Sonam and Raja went missing. On 24 May, their rented scooter was found abandoned outside a café on the Shillong–Sohra road.A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a superintendent of police and four deputy superintendents was formed by the Meghalaya Police to probe the case. Raja’s body was finally found on 2 June.Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, accused Sonam of plotting the trip and taking ₹9 lakh from Raja for travel and accommodation. She also claimed Sonam insisted on carrying all the jewellery for the trip.SIT chief Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor said Raja suffered two serious head injuries, likely caused by a sharp weapon.

A court in Ghazipur sent Sonam into three-day transit remand, and the Meghalaya police are now taking her to the state for further investigation.

Sonam Raghuvanshi, who had been missing for more than two weeks after her husband Raja Raghuvanshi was found dead during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, was arrested in the early hours of Monday. She reportedly surrendered at Nandganj Police Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district and was taken into custody around 1 am. Sonam had vanished soon after Raja’s body was discovered in a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra. His identity was confirmed by a tattoo on his hand reading “Raja” and a smartwatch on his wrist. Transit remand and arrests of co-accused A court in Ghazipur sent Sonam into three-day transit remand, and the Meghalaya police are now taking her to the state for further investigation. Three other individuals have also been arrested in connection with the murder, Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chauhan, and Akash Rajput, following their appearance in an Indore court. The trio has been placed under seven-day transit custody of the Meghalaya police. Chilling murder plot linked to love affair According to the Indore Police, Sonam was allegedly in a relationship with Raj Kushwaha, an employee at her brother’s tile distribution company. Kushwaha, 20, and Sonam, 25, are accused of plotting Raja’s murder just days after the couple’s 11 May wedding. On 18 May, they allegedly began planning the murder. Police say Kushwaha hired three accomplices, Vishal Chauhan, Anand Kumar, and Akash Rajput, to execute the plan. Investigators claim Sonam shared the couple’s live location with the killers and maintained frequent contact with Kushwaha during their trip, as shown in her call records. Timeline: From honeymoon to horror The couple left for their honeymoon on 20 May and reached Mawlakhiat village in Meghalaya on 22 May. The next day, Sonam and Raja went missing. On 24 May, their rented scooter was found abandoned outside a café on the Shillong–Sohra road. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a superintendent of police and four deputy superintendents was formed by the Meghalaya Police to probe the case. Raja’s body was finally found on 2 June. Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, accused Sonam of plotting the trip and taking ₹9 lakh from Raja for travel and accommodation. She also claimed Sonam insisted on carrying all the jewellery for the trip. SIT chief Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor said Raja suffered two serious head injuries, likely caused by a sharp weapon.

A court in Ghazipur sent Sonam into three-day transit remand, and the Meghalaya police are now taking her to the state for further investigation.

'Murder planning began on May 18': Meghalaya honeymoon turned horror for Raja Raghuvanshi - Timeline, suspects and all you need to know

New information from the post-mortem of Raja Raghuvanshi has highlighted the brutal nature of his murder, as investigators focus on the alleged role of his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi.According to Meghalaya Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor, Raja sustained two fatal injuries to the head, likely inflicted with a sharp weapon.“Post mortem saying two head injuries with a sharp cutting weapon,” Kharkongor confirmed.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/she-said-her-phone-was-stolen-here-s-what-dhaba-owner-revealed-in-meghalaya-murder-case-sonam-raghuvanshi-raj-kushwaha-1749460110503">‘She said her phone was stolen and...’: Here’s what dhaba owner revealed in Meghalaya murder case</a>The examination was carried out at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).<h2>Wife found near roadside dhaba in Uttar Pradesh</h2>Sonam Raghuvanshi was located near a dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur main road, according to a senior official from the Uttar Pradesh Police.She had earlier surrendered and was taken into custody by the UP police.<h2>Meghalaya police confirm arrests and interstate operation</h2>SIT chief Kharkongor told ANI that four people have been arrested in connection with the case. These individuals will be presented in court and later brought to Shillong on transit remand.“Our team is about to reach Ghazipur and will formally arrest Sonam and take her transit remand,” he said.He added that their team overcame difficult terrain and poor weather to recover the body and initiate the investigation. “We formed the SIT with capable officers in the case,” he said.Two teams were also sent to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to track suspects. While details remain under investigation, early signs point to strained relations between Raja and Sonam.Alleged affair and murder conspiracy angleAccording to Rajesh Dandotiya, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in Indore, 25-year-old Sonam was allegedly involved in a relationship with Raja Kushwaha.Kushwaha is accused of hiring Vishal Chauhan, Anand Kumar, and Akash Rajput to carry out the killing.Sonam allegedly assisted in the plan by sharing her husband’s location with the attackers.

According to Meghalaya Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor, Raja sustained two fatal injuries to the head, likely inflicted with a sharp weapon.

New information from the post-mortem of Raja Raghuvanshi has highlighted the brutal nature of his murder, as investigators focus on the alleged role of his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi. According to Meghalaya Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor, Raja sustained two fatal injuries to the head, likely inflicted with a sharp weapon. “Post mortem saying two head injuries with a sharp cutting weapon,” Kharkongor confirmed. Also read: ‘She said her phone was stolen and...’: Here’s what dhaba owner revealed in Meghalaya murder case The examination was carried out at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS). Wife found near roadside dhaba in Uttar Pradesh Sonam Raghuvanshi was located near a dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur main road, according to a senior official from the Uttar Pradesh Police. She had earlier surrendered and was taken into custody by the UP police. Meghalaya police confirm arrests and interstate operation SIT chief Kharkongor told ANI that four people have been arrested in connection with the case. These individuals will be presented in court and later brought to Shillong on transit remand. “Our team is about to reach Ghazipur and will formally arrest Sonam and take her transit remand,” he said. He added that their team overcame difficult terrain and poor weather to recover the body and initiate the investigation. “We formed the SIT with capable officers in the case,” he said. Two teams were also sent to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to track suspects. While details remain under investigation, early signs point to strained relations between Raja and Sonam. Alleged affair and murder conspiracy angle According to Rajesh Dandotiya, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in Indore, 25-year-old Sonam was allegedly involved in a relationship with Raja Kushwaha. Kushwaha is accused of hiring Vishal Chauhan, Anand Kumar, and Akash Rajput to carry out the killing. Sonam allegedly assisted in the plan by sharing her husband’s location with the attackers.

According to Meghalaya Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor, Raja sustained two fatal injuries to the head, likely inflicted with a sharp weapon.

‘Two head wounds, sharp weapon’: What did Raja Raghuvanshi's post-mortem report reveal?

The 12 hours that a Madhya Pradesh couple spent at East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya's Nongriat village while visiting the famous double-decker living root bridge have now been explained, say investigators who interviewed the villagers and recorded their statements.&nbsp;Newlywed couple Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam visited certain locations on their honeymoon in Meghalaya before they disappeared on May 23. While Raja Raghuvanshi's body was found in a gorge on June 2, his wife is still missing.&nbsp;Police and even National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are combing the area for Sonam, whose family members told that they are sure she would have been kidnapped and have not given up hopes of tracing her.&nbsp;The couple stayed in a guesthouse in Meghalaya's capital city Shillong on May 21. They rented a scooty the following day and rode to popular tourist destination Sohra (Cherrapunji). Having arrived at Mawlakhiat village in East Khasi Hills, they left the scooty in a parking facility operated by the local community for tourists, and hired a local guide to trek to a homestay at Nongriat village in the same district.&nbsp;The guide who accompanied them on the trek from Mawlakhiat to Nongriat said it is almost three hours and includes going down about 3,000 steps.&nbsp;"The couple called us on May 22. It was late, around 3.30 pm, but I didn't refuse and agreed to guide them to Nongriat. After leaving them at Shipara Homestay, we left," the guide Bhakupar Wanshai said, while another guide, Albert Pde, also joined them.&nbsp;"We provided service for the following day (May 23), but they declined, mentioning that they know the route," Wanshai added.&nbsp;Wanshai in his police report said that Sonam did most of the negotiations with them in English. The couple and the two guides arrived at Shipara Homestay at Nongriat village at 5.30 pm, the homestay owner woman said.&nbsp;"Two guests visited here (Shipara Homestay) on May 22. They arrived accompanied by guides. I do not remember the exact time. but it might have been about 5 pm. When they arrived here, I showed them to the room, and they agreed to stay. While we sat here, they inquired about the room tariff as well as the guide fee, and when to settle the payment, to which I responded, 'today'," explained the homestay owner Sianti Sohkhlet. She said the couple declined the guide's service for the next day. "I took the money and asked them to sign in the register, and showed them to their room. They checked in and went off to view the living root bridges after they had locked the room. They came back after some time. It was already dark. We cooked food and served it to their room. They ate and went to bed," Sohkhlet said.&nbsp;Shipara Homestay is just near the double-decker living root bridge in Nongriat. "The next morning, I woke up around 5.30 am. The couple said they would check out early, so I asked if they would like to have breakfast. They refused, saying it was too early and they were not hungry," said the homestay owner.&nbsp;"They paid the food and checked out. I enquired whether they would remember how to get back, and they told me they would, pointing towards the stairs and then left ," Sohkhlet further added.&nbsp;The couple left the homestay at 6 am on May 23. The last individual to have seen the couple was guide Albert Pde.&nbsp;&nbsp;During interrogation by the state police, he said that he saw the couple at 10 am climbing the 3,000 steps to Mawlakhiat village with three men whom he took for tourists.&nbsp;The couple vanished from there.

Meghalaya murder mystery | What happened before they vanished? Inside the tourist couple’s last 12 hours

The 12 hours that a Madhya Pradesh couple spent at East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya's Nongriat village while visiting the famous double-decker living root bridge have now been explained, say investigators who interviewed the villagers and recorded their statements. Newlywed couple Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam visited certain locations on their honeymoon in Meghalaya before they disappeared on May 23. While Raja Raghuvanshi's body was found in a gorge on June 2, his wife is still missing. Police and even National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are combing the area for Sonam, whose family members told that they are sure she would have been kidnapped and have not given up hopes of tracing her. The couple stayed in a guesthouse in Meghalaya's capital city Shillong on May 21. They rented a scooty the following day and rode to popular tourist destination Sohra (Cherrapunji). Having arrived at Mawlakhiat village in East Khasi Hills, they left the scooty in a parking facility operated by the local community for tourists, and hired a local guide to trek to a homestay at Nongriat village in the same district. The guide who accompanied them on the trek from Mawlakhiat to Nongriat said it is almost three hours and includes going down about 3,000 steps. "The couple called us on May 22. It was late, around 3.30 pm, but I didn't refuse and agreed to guide them to Nongriat. After leaving them at Shipara Homestay, we left," the guide Bhakupar Wanshai said, while another guide, Albert Pde, also joined them. "We provided service for the following day (May 23), but they declined, mentioning that they know the route," Wanshai added. Wanshai in his police report said that Sonam did most of the negotiations with them in English. The couple and the two guides arrived at Shipara Homestay at Nongriat village at 5.30 pm, the homestay owner woman said. "Two guests visited here (Shipara Homestay) on May 22. They arrived accompanied by guides. I do not remember the exact time. but it might have been about 5 pm. When they arrived here, I showed them to the room, and they agreed to stay. While we sat here, they inquired about the room tariff as well as the guide fee, and when to settle the payment, to which I responded, 'today'," explained the homestay owner Sianti Sohkhlet. She said the couple declined the guide's service for the next day. "I took the money and asked them to sign in the register, and showed them to their room. They checked in and went off to view the living root bridges after they had locked the room. They came back after some time. It was already dark. We cooked food and served it to their room. They ate and went to bed," Sohkhlet said. Shipara Homestay is just near the double-decker living root bridge in Nongriat. "The next morning, I woke up around 5.30 am. The couple said they would check out early, so I asked if they would like to have breakfast. They refused, saying it was too early and they were not hungry," said the homestay owner. "They paid the food and checked out. I enquired whether they would remember how to get back, and they told me they would, pointing towards the stairs and then left ," Sohkhlet further added. The couple left the homestay at 6 am on May 23. The last individual to have seen the couple was guide Albert Pde. During interrogation by the state police, he said that he saw the couple at 10 am climbing the 3,000 steps to Mawlakhiat village with three men whom he took for tourists. The couple vanished from there.

A couple from India's Madhya Pradesh, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, were reported missing on May 23 during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. Days later the husband's semi-decomposed body was found from Wei Sawdong Falls