What Happened On May 23? Police Reveal Sequence Of Events Leading To Raja Raghuvanshi's Murder

Last Updated:June 13, 2025, 12:44 IST

Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly murdered on May 23. His wife Sonam and four others, including Raj Kushwaha, her alleged lover, have been arrested over his murder.

The couple married in Indore on May 11 and travelled to Meghalaya via Guwahati on May 20. (Image via X)

Sonam Raghuvanshi was constantly busy on her phone while she stayed at a guest house in Shillong with her husband Raja Raghuvanshi on May 21 and 22. In the CCTV footage accessed by CNN-News18, Sonam could be seen talking to someone before they left for Sohra on May 22. Raja was allegedly murdered on May 23. Sonam and four others, including Raj Kushwaha, her alleged lover, have been arrested over Raja’s murder.

A Meghalaya court has sent Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raj Kushwaha, and the three hitmen – Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi – to eight days of police custody. During this time, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) plans to reconstruct the crime scene and interrogate each individual thoroughly.

What Happened on May 23?

Meanwhile, here’s a detailed sequence of events from May 23, as revealed by police sources and multiple media reports.

At 5:30 am: Raja and Sonam checked out of Shipra Homestay and left for the Mawlakhaït trek in Cherrapunji.

At 6 am: The three killers, who were staying at a nearby homestay, also checked out around the same time after Sonam reportedly messaged one of them.

At 7:00 am: Raja and Sonam stopped at a shop for tea on the trek. The killers befriended Raja at the tea shop and tagged along with the couple.

At 10 am: Local tour guide, Albert Pde, spotted the five of them together.

At 12:30 pm: Sonam called her mother-in-law, Uma Raghuvanshi. She told her they were tired and said Raja’s phone was discharged. She also made Raja speak to his mother.

At 1:30 pm: Sonam slowed down and signalled Vishal, who attacked Raja first while Akash joined him.

At 2:15 pm: Sonam shared a message on social media from Raja’s mobile phone.

At 2:30 pm: Raja’s body was thrown into a gorge.

Later that day: Both their mobile phones went offline. Authorities suspect they were deliberately switched off or destroyed.

What happened after May 23?

In the days to follow, the case continued to get twists and turns. With Raja and Sonam missing, it first became a missing couple case.

On May 24, Meghalaya police found the couple’s rented scooter abandoned near a cafe on the Shillong–Sohra road. Raids and search teams, aided by NDRF/SDRF, began combing the East Khasi Hills to find the couple.

On June 2, a drone detected Raja’s body in a gorge below Wei Sawdong Falls. On the site of the murder, the police recovered a blood‑stained machete and a black raincoat. A white woman’s shirt, smartwatch, mobile screen fragment, and medication strip were also found near the murder site.

The autopsy of Raja’s body revealed fatal wounds, including head injuries inflicted by a sharp bladed weapon.

On June 9, Sonam reportedly surrendered at a roadside eatery in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. The police arrested Sonam, Raj Kushwaha, and the three alleged contract killers.

With Sonam and others now in custody, the police are collecting all evidence to piece together the case. According to Meghalaya Police DIG (Eastern Range) Davis NR Marak, “The question of who masterminded the murder will be clear once we confront them face-to-face. Right now, they are being interrogated separately."

In police custody, Sonam has claimed that she killed her husband under pressure from Raj, while Raj has insisted that Sonam planned and executed the murder herself, manipulating him into involvement. The shifting narratives and mutual blame have added layers of complexity to the investigation.

DIG Marak confirmed, “They have both admitted to being part of the conspiracy. But their stories differ when it comes to who planned it. We are trying to uncover the truth through cross-questioning and digital evidence."

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...Read More

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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