Honeymoon Turns Murder Mystery in Meghalaya

A honeymoon meant to celebrate the start of a lifelong journey ended in a brutal murder, revealing a chilling tale of betrayal and a well-planned conspiracy. What began as a romantic trip for newlyweds from Indore – Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam Raghuvanshi – turned into one of the most gruesome murder cases to emerge from the picturesque hills of Meghalaya.

The couple had married on May 11 and soon traveled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. On May 22, they were last seen checking out from a homestay in Cherrapunji. Suspicion arose when a rented scooter, believed to have been used by them, was found abandoned near a waterfall. Police launched an extensive search in the area.

On June 2, nearly 10 days after the couple went missing, Raja’s decomposed body was recovered from a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra (Cherrapunji). A machete believed to be the murder weapon and blood-stained clothing were found nearby. The body was identified by a tattoo on Raja’s hand and his wedding ring.

An autopsy confirmed that Raja was killed with a sharp cutting weapon, and his jewelry – including a gold ring and necklace – was missing.

As police delved deeper, they discovered a sinister twist: Sonam, the grieving wife, was in fact the prime conspirator in the murder. Investigations revealed she had maintained contact with Raj Kushwaha, an alleged lover and employee in her brother’s factory in Indore. Police believe she orchestrated the murder with Kushwaha’s help.

Phone records and witness statements indicated that Sonam had planned the murder well in advance. A local guide told police that he saw the couple trekking with three Hindi-speaking men – later identified as hired contract killers.

On June 9, Sonam was arrested from a dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, where she had reportedly gone to meet one of her brothers. Police simultaneously arrested four men connected to the murder: Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi – from different parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. One more suspect is reportedly on the run.

Raja’s family claims Sonam had insisted he wear over Rs10 lakh worth of gold jewelry during the trip and had managed all travel bookings. The police suspect that robbery may have been part of the motive, along with her illicit relationship with Kushwaha.

A senior Meghalaya police officer said, “This was a cold-blooded murder, plotted over weeks. The killers were brought from Indore to Meghalaya with a clear plan.”

The case has drawn national attention and sparked public outrage. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has promised a fast-track trial to ensure justice is served swiftly. Raja’s family has demanded the harshest punishment for those involved, calling it “a betrayal beyond imagination.”