From MP to Meghalaya to UP: How Indore couple's honeymoon turned into a murder mystery, left cops baffled

NEW DELHI: From the plains of Madhya Pradesh to the hills of Meghalaya and the highways of Uttar Pradesh, a chilling murder case has gripped three states and left police teams scrambling for answers.What began as a honeymoon trip ended in a brutal killing, with Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi murdered by contract killers hired by his wife, Sonam.As new details emerge and arrests span across states, police forces from MP, UP, and Meghalaya are racing to unravel the plot.The case has triggered a coordinated investigation by police forces across three states, with several arrests made and new evidence emerging.Sonam, 24, surrendered before the police in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. She was later sent for medical examination and placed at a One Stop Centre for women in distress. Meanwhile, three accused men — two from Indore and one from Lalitpur, UP — were arrested during overnight raids by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), assisted by central and state agencies including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

The couple had married on May 11 and travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20. They were last seen on May 22 in Mawlakhiat village, East Khasi Hills district, having rented a scooter to tour the area. By May 24, their rented scooter was found abandoned near a café on the Shillong-Sohra road. This prompted a search operation.Raj Raghuvanshi’s body was later discovered in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls. Police recovered a missing gold ring and neck chain from the crime scene.

A bloodstained machete and a raincoat believed to belong to the couple were also found nearby.Authorities confirmed that the arrested suspects confessed to committing the murder at Sonam's behest. Meghalaya Police stated that Sonam remains under Uttar Pradesh Police custody while legal formalities for her transfer are being completed. "Yes, it appears so (that she had a boyfriend)," said Vivek Syiem, SP, East Khasi Hills, adding that Sonam surfaced only after co-accused Raj Kushwaha and others were apprehended, raising further suspicion.Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma praised the swift action of the police: "Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #meghalayapolice in the Raja murder case. Three assailants from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, the woman has surrendered, and operations are ongoing to catch one more accused."