A pilgrimage, change of plans & a trek to death: Meghalaya honeymoon murder stuns nation

GUWAHATI: What began as a romantic honeymoon for newlyweds Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam ended in a chilling murder that has shocked the nation. Raja (28), a transporter from Indore, and Sonam (24) were married on May 11.

Merely days later, Sonam allegedly orchestrated her husband’s killing in Meghalaya with the help of her lover and three contract killers.Soon after the wedding, Sonam surprised Raja with a sudden pilgrimage to the Kamakhya temple in Assam. She reportedly insisted he wear a gold chain, a ring, and an expensive watch. After the temple visit, she suggested they proceed to Meghalaya, where the couple checked into a homestay in Nongriat village on May 22.The next day, May 23, they went untraceable. A local guide later claimed to have seen them climbing from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat, accompanied by three men who spoke Hindi.On June 2, Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge. His jewellery was missing and a bloodstained machete was recovered from the scene. Police say this was no accident—it was a calculated murder, planned just days after the wedding.On June 9, Sonam was arrested at a dhaba in Uttar Pradesh after a phone call to her brother revealed her location.

Sources say she had shown no objections to marrying Raja when asked by her family. Police have also arrested Akash Rajput (19) from Lalitpur, Raj Khushwaha (21), Vishal Chauhan (22) from Indore, and Anand Kurmi (23) from Satna.According to investigators, Sonam was in love with Raj Khushwaha, who worked in her father’s plywood business. Raj stayed in Madhya Pradesh while the three hired killers followed the couple, receiving real-time updates from Sonam.“This is heartbreaking,” said Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi. “If she didn’t want the marriage, she could’ve left him or eloped. Why kill?”