Meghalaya honeymoon ends in murder: Wife Sonam, 3 hitmen in custody, alleged lover missing

INDORE: In a stunning twist in the Raja-Sonam honeymoon tragedy, Sonam, the bride – who was missing for over a fortnight and was feared trafficked – was arrested by Meghalaya police from Uttar Pradesh on Sunday night for murdering Raja Raghuvanshi, her husband.Three hitmen have also been nabbed and police are looking for a fourth suspect, believed to be Sonam’s boyfriend."Two accused were arrested from Indore. We provided whatever help Shillong police asked for, including logistical assistance. The suspects have been taken away by police," said additional commissioner of police Amit Singh.Just after 7am on Monday, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma posted on X: “Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved by Meghalaya Police in the Raja murder case.

Three assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, the woman has surrendered and the operation is still on to nab one more assailant. Well done.”According to Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang, Sonam was the mastermind behind her husband Raja Raghuvanshi's killing. She allegedly hired contract killers to hack Raja to death while visiting Double Decker bridge in Sohra (Cherrapunjee) and then surrendered in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh late Sunday night.

There are conflicting accounts of how Sonam was found. Ghazipur SP Dr Iraj Raja said police found her unconscious at Kashi Dhaba during routine patrolling and identified her as the missing woman from the Shillong case. Sonam’s family, however, claimed that she arrived at the dhaba around 2am and requested the owner to help her contact her brother Govind, who then arranged for someone to reach the location and speak with her.Sonam’s mother expressed sorrow over Raja’s death, saying the pain of losing him overshadowed any relief in her daughter's return.Sonam and Raja married on May 11. It was an arranged marriage. Sources close to the families told TOI that when the match was being fixed, Sonam was asked if she had anyone else in mind for marriage, and she denied, saying she’d happily follow her father’s wish.Meghalaya wasn’t part of their honeymoon plan, both families had told TOI earlier.

According to them, the newlyweds visited Kamakhya Temple in Assam, where someone suggested they visit beautiful Meghalaya as it’s close by.The couple went missing on May 23. Raja’s body was found in a deep gorge in Sohra on June 2 after eight days of intense search, during which Meghalaya police and volunteers braved treacherous terrain and harsh weather.Aa Raja’s fate was known, both families began fearing the worst for Sonam and insisted on a CBI inquiry.

The Raghuvanshi community wrote to PM Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav requested Union home minister Amit Shah for a CBI probe into the case.Sonam’s arrest came as a massive shock. Her family denies the allegations, though. Her father, Devi Singh, has rejected the police’s version, claiming that his daughter is being ‘framed by Meghalaya police’. He said the family is happy she has been found but deeply grieved by the loss of Raja.In an audio recording shared by her brother Govind on social media, he says, “I am at the airport. I received a call from Sonam at 1.30am and routed her to the nearest police station immediately. I have started from Shillong for Gorakhpur and will land at 12.30pm and reach the police station by car. I had called the police station and handed Sonam to police custody. I had called police and handed her over to them. The allegations are false but now the govt will decide.

”"It was a combined operation by Meghalaya and MP police. Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chouhan and Akash Rajput have been arrested, and Anand is absconding," said Additional DCP crime, Rajesh Dandotiya during a press briefing in Indore.