From Indore to Shillong: A Planned Murder by Sonam and Her Lover

TOI, NEW DELHI: What began as a blissful honeymoon in the misty hills of Meghalaya has spiraled into one of the most chilling crime stories of the year — a tale of love, betrayal, and a murder that feels ripped straight from a Bollywood script.

Some 20 days ago, Sonam Raghuvanshi was living a quiet life in Indore. 

Newly married, she set off with her husband Raja for what was supposed to be the start of a lifelong journey. But behind the smiles and scenic selfies was a sinister plot — one that ended with Raja’s brutal killing in the northeast and his mutilated body found beside a machete in the forested hills of Meghalaya.

The plot took a darker turn when Sonam resurfaced at a roadside dhaba in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur, far from the hills where her husband’s life ended. She called her family. She waited. 

And then, she surrendered.

Now, Sonam is being brought back — not as a grieving widow, but as the prime accused in her husband’s murder. 

Accompanying her are four others also in custody: Raj Kushwaha, the man alleged to be her lover and co-conspirator, and three contract killers said to have carried out the act.

All five will be taken to the crime scene, where investigators hope to reconstruct the events that unfolded in those remote woods.

Sonam Raghuvanshi’s descent from newlywed to murder suspect now leads her back to the hills of Meghalaya.

After surrendering at a dusty dhaba in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur, the 26-year-old was held at a women’s shelter until a team of Meghalaya Police arrived.

On Tuesday, she was officially taken into transit custody from Bihar’s Phulwari Sharif police station. 

Her next stop: Shillong, where the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, will be reconstructed with her as the central figure. But Sonam won’t be alone.

Three other accused — Raj Kushwaha, Akash Rajput, and Vishal Singh Chauhan — had already been placed on seven-day transit remand on Monday. 

The fourth accused, Anand, was brought to Indore from Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district. Indore additional DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya confirmed that all four men, aged between 20 and 25, will be taken to Meghalaya for further questioning. “Raj worked as an accountant in Sonam’s office. Vishal and Anand are students. 

Akash is currently unemployed. None of them has a criminal record,” Dandotiya said.

Police said Raja Raghuvanshi, a resident of Indore, was allegedly murdered in Meghalaya by contract killers reportedly hired by his wife, Sonam. 

The couple had gone missing during their honeymoon, and Raja’s body was later found in a forested area.

According to the Meghalaya Special Investigation Team (SIT), post-mortem results revealed Raja suffered two serious head injuries. Investigators believe the murder was premeditated.

The accused are expected to be taken to the crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are now working to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the murder.

Timeline

May11, 2025: Raja (29) and Sonam Raghuvanshi (25) marry in Indore.

May 20: They travel to Meghalaya for honeymoon, reaching Shillong and Nongriat (Cherrapunji/Sohra) by May 22–23 

May 23: The couple is seen leaving Nongriat; around 1:43 PM Sonam’s last call to her mother. Phones go dead thereafter 

May 24: Their rented scooter is found abandoned along Shillong–Sohra road 

June 2: Raja's decomposed body is discovered in a gorge under Weisawdong Falls in East Khasi Hills 

June 3 onward: Police recover a blood-stained machete, Sonam’s raincoat, digital evidence, and evidence of a contract killing plot 

Key Findings & Accusations

Premeditation: Police, via “Operation Honeymoon,” uncovered that Sonam allegedly planned the murder, hiring four men—including her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha—offering up to ₹20 lakh 

Digital Deception: Raja’s social media appeared active at 2:15 AM post-mortem, indicating manipulation 

Physical & Forensic Evidence:

Blood-stained shirt of one accused and Sonam’s raincoat tested positive, fingerprints found on murder weapon 

Weapon: a khukri‑style machete, uncommon for Meghalaya, recovered and tested 

Eyewitness Accounts: Local guide saw the couple with three unidentified men on May 23 

Sonam’s Arrest: She surrendered in Ghazipur on June 9 after a two-week search 

Meghalaya police dismiss her claim of being drugged by co-accused 

Those Arrested

Sonam Raghuvanshi (25) – prime accused, allegedly mastermind.

Raj Singh Kushwaha (21) – her alleged lover and recruiter. 

Akash Rajput (19)

Vishal Singh Chauhan (22)

Anand Kurmi (23) – all four hired for execution  

Recent Developments

June 10: A bystander in Indore slapped one of the accused at the airport as they were transferred 

June 11: Statements and confessions emerged: Sonam allegedly increased bounty from ₹4 lakh to ₹20 lakh, assisted in dumping the body 

Meghalaya police have confirmed involvement via confession and are preparing to transfer all to Shillong for trial 

Summary

Raja Raghuvanshi was brutally murdered on May 23, 2025, during his honeymoon.

Evidence points to a contract killing planned and executed by Sonam and four accomplices.

Authorities leveraged forensic, digital, and witness evidence to bring the accused into custody.

The case is now heading to Meghalaya courts. Raja's family is calling for capital punishment and urging a CBI investigation