From Honeymoon to Horror: Sonam Raghuwanshi’s Shocking Murder Plot Unraveled

The rolling hills of Meghalaya, with their emerald forests and cascading waterfalls, are a dream destination for newlyweds seeking romance and adventure. For Raja and Sonam Raghuwanshi, a young couple from Indore, their honeymoon in this northeastern paradise promised a new chapter of love. Instead, it became a chilling saga of betrayal, murder, and a meticulously planned deception that has left India reeling. Sonam Raghuwanshi, a 24-year-old bride, stands accused of orchestrating the murder of her husband, Raja, in a plot that unraveled with shocking clarity in June 2025, transforming a tale of marital bliss into one of the country’s most sensational crime stories.

A Journey to Paradise

Raja, 29, and Sonam, married on May 11, 2025, in a joyous ceremony in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, set off for their honeymoon just nine days later. Their destination was Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, famed for its scenic beauty, including the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat and the misty vistas of Cherrapunjee (Sohra). The couple’s itinerary was packed with plans to explore Shillong’s vibrant streets and the rugged trails of the Khasi Hills. To their families and friends, they were a picture of happiness, their marriage a consensual union celebrated by both sides.

On May 22, CCTV footage from a Shillong homestay captured Raja and Sonam checking in, their white suitcase in tow, their demeanor unremarkable for a couple on their honeymoon. They rented a scooter and headed toward Nongriat, a village requiring a strenuous trek of over 3,000 steps to reach its iconic living root bridge. A local guide, Albert Pde, saw them on May 23, climbing the steps with three unfamiliar men, all speaking Hindi. By that afternoon, their phones went offline, and the couple seemed to vanish into the lush wilderness.

The next day, May 24, their abandoned scooter was found near Sohrarim, keys still in the ignition, sparking immediate concern. Raja’s family, unable to reach him, contacted the Meghalaya Police, who launched a search operation with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers. Heavy rainfall and the region’s treacherous terrain complicated efforts, and for days, no trace of the couple emerged. Both families clung to hope, fearing they had fallen victim to an accident or foul play in the remote hills.

A Grim Revelation

On June 2, a breakthrough came with a grim discovery. A police drone scanning the dense forest near Wei Sawdong Falls, close to Cherrapunjee, spotted Raja’s decomposed body in a deep gorge. Nearby, investigators found a machete, believed to be the murder weapon, along with a blood-stained raincoat and a white shirt later identified as Sonam’s. The scene confirmed Raja had been brutally killed, and the Meghalaya Police registered a homicide case, forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe deeper. Sonam, however, remained missing, fueling speculation that she, too, was a victim—or something far more sinister.

Raja’s family was devastated. His mother, Uma, wept as she questioned how such a tragedy could strike so soon after his wedding. “He was so excited for this new life,” she told reporters. “Who could do this to him?” Posters at Raja’s funeral in Indore bore the poignant message, “I did not die… I was killed,” reflecting their conviction that his death was no accident. Sonam’s family, meanwhile, feared she had been kidnapped. Her brother, Govind, traveled to Shillong to join the search, insisting she was alive and in danger. Both families demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, citing concerns over the local police’s ability to handle the case.

The Plot Unravels

The case took a stunning turn on June 8, when Sonam was found at a roadside dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, visibly distressed. She had reportedly contacted her brother, who alerted the police. On June 9, Meghalaya Police announced her surrender at Nandganj police station, dropping a bombshell: Sonam was not a victim but the alleged mastermind of Raja’s murder. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Davis Marak, Sonam had hired three contract killers from Madhya Pradesh to execute her husband during their honeymoon. A fourth suspect, Raj Kushwaha, identified as Sonam’s lover, was also arrested, accused of helping plan the crime.

Police investigations revealed a chilling sequence of events. Sonam, who had booked the Meghalaya trip herself, allegedly lured Raja to the remote Wei Sawdong Falls under the pretense of a romantic outing. The three hired men, seen with the couple by guide Albert Pde, carried out the killing, using the machete to end Raja’s life before pushing his body into the gorge. Sonam’s white shirt, found at the scene, and GPS data from the rented scooter corroborated the police’s timeline. After the murder, Sonam fled Meghalaya, staging her disappearance to deflect suspicion, only to reappear in Uttar Pradesh two weeks later.

The motive, police sources claim, was rooted in Sonam’s illicit relationship with Kushwaha. The two had allegedly been involved before her marriage to Raja, and the honeymoon provided a perfect opportunity to eliminate him. The contract killers were paid to ensure the act looked like a random attack in a remote area, but their confessions unraveled Sonam’s plan. Overnight raids in Uttar Pradesh and Indore led to their arrests, with one suspect still at large as the investigation continues.

A Clash of Narratives

Sonam’s family has fiercely denied the allegations. Her father, Devi Singh, told media, “My daughter is no murderer. She loved Raja, and their marriage was agreed upon by both families. The police are framing her.” He claimed Sonam’s presence at the Ghazipur dhaba was a cry for help, not an admission of guilt. Her mother, Sangeeta, made a public appeal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the Meghalaya Police of mishandling the case and demanding a CBI investigation. Just days before Sonam’s arrest, Sangeeta had insisted her daughter was missing and possibly in danger, a narrative now overshadowed by the police’s claims.

Raja’s family, grappling with grief and betrayal, expressed shock at Sonam’s alleged role. His brother, Vipul, said, “We trusted her. They seemed so happy at the wedding. How could she plan this?” His mother, Uma, questioned Sonam’s unscathed return, stating, “If she was with Raja in that jungle, why is she alive and untouched? She planned it all along.” The family’s anguish was palpable at Raja’s funeral, where mourners demanded justice and transparency, echoing calls for a CBI probe to ensure an impartial investigation.

Public Outrage and Regional Sensitivities

The case has ignited a firestorm of public reaction. On X, users expressed horror and disbelief, with posts like, “Honeymoon turned horror… Sonam Raghuwanshi didn’t go missing—she went murderous,” reflecting the shock of the betrayal. Others, like Nagaland BJP leader Temjen Imna Along, urged restraint, posting, “This is a crime of personal betrayal, not a reflection of Meghalaya’s safety or hospitality.” Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma lauded the police’s swift action, stating on X, “The #meghalayapolice have achieved a major breakthrough in the Raja murder case within 7 days.”

The case has also sparked concerns about tourist safety in Meghalaya’s remote areas, prompting local authorities to review safety protocols for trekkers and visitors. The SIT is now preparing to escort Sonam back to Meghalaya to reconstruct the crime scene, while the search for the remaining suspect continues. The police are also investigating potential financial motives, though the romantic affair with Kushwaha remains the primary focus.

A Love Story Shattered

The story of Sonam and Raja Raghuwanshi is a tragic unraveling of trust and love, set against the backdrop of one of India’s most beautiful landscapes. What began as a honeymoon filled with promise ended in a gorge with a brutal murder, orchestrated, police allege, by the bride herself. As Sonam faces trial and the nation awaits answers, the case serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can hide behind a smiling facade. Whether driven by love, greed, or desperation, Sonam’s alleged plot has left an indelible mark on two families and a country grappling with the horror of a honeymoon turned deadly.

Last Updated on: Monday, June 9, 2025 2:20 pm by Charan Sai Reddy | Published by: Charan Sai Reddy on Monday, June 9, 2025 2:14 pm | News Categories: News, India

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About The Author

Charan Sai Reddy

charansai reddy is a content writer specializing in India news, business, sports, technology, lifestyle, education, and entertainment. An engineering graduate from ICFAI Hyderabad, he brings a sharp, research-oriented perspective to covering current events and emerging trends.

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