'Can't Burn Sonam, So We Burnt Her Sari': Raja Raghuvanshi's Family Marks Holi With Symbolic Fire

Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 15:20 IST

Raja Raghuvanshi's family in Indore marked Holi eve by burning Sonam's wedding sari, symbolising the end of evil after her alleged role in Raja's murder in Meghalaya

As bonfires were lit across the country to mark Holika Dahan on the eve of Holi, a grieving family in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, turned the ritual into a deeply personal act of mourning. On the holy occasion observed on Monday night, the family of slain businessman Raja Raghuvanshi burnt the wedding sari of Sonam, Raja’s wife who is accused of plotting his murder, describing the act as symbolic of ending “evil" in their lives.

Standing beside the fire, Raja’s mother had said the decision was taken after much emotional turmoil. “Holika Dahan symbolises the victory of good over evil," she said, adding, “Sonam is in jail; we cannot burn her. So we burnt her sari and the memories attached to it."

The act was laden with painful memories. It was around the same festival last year that Sonam had allegedly called Raja and invited him to her home to celebrate Holi. “Come, let’s play…" she had told him. Raja had joined the celebrations, and his mother had recorded a video of him playing Holi, a video that has since become a reminder of a life cut short.

“Last year, I recorded my son playing Holi," she said tearfully, “Now I watch that same video to remember him."

The family said that since Raja’s death, festivals had ceased to hold meaning. “After Raja left us, there was no colour left in our lives. There was no Holi, no Diwali, no celebrations," his mother said.

Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder case had drawn widespread attention in May 2025. The Indore-based businessman had travelled to Meghalaya for his honeymoon with his wife Sonam when he was allegedly killed under suspicious circumstances.

According to investigators, the murder was premeditated. Police alleged that Sonam had conspired with her acquaintance Raj Kushwaha and hired three men, namely Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi, to execute the crime. Authorities said all five accused had travelled to Meghalaya around the time of the incident, where Raja was allegedly attacked and killed.

The case took a dramatic turn when police claimed to have uncovered call records and travel details linking the accused to the crime scene. Following their arrest, all five were remanded to judicial custody.

The matter is currently under trial, and all the accused remain in jail.

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