Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: Sonam Arrested, Family Demands CBI Probe Amid Twists in Husband’s Death
Indore woman Sonam Raghuvanshi arrested for allegedly plotting husband Raja’s murder during Meghalaya honeymoon; families divided, CBI investigation sought.
Shillong, June 9: What was meant to be a scenic honeymoon in Meghalaya has unraveled into a deeply disturbing murder case, raising more questions than answers. Raja Raghuvanshi, a 30-year-old from Indore, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the forests near Wei Sawdong Falls. His wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, who had vanished with him, has now resurfaced—alive—and is under arrest. The police claim she plotted the murder. Her family calls it a lie. His family is torn, caught between grief and disbelief, now calling for a CBI probe to uncover the truth.
The Last Trek Together
Raja and Sonam arrived in Meghalaya on May 20. Locals last saw them three days later, on May 23, hiking towards Mawlakhiat, a remote village near Cherrapunji. They’d rented a scooter to explore the area, but when it turned up abandoned and no contact came from the couple, the silence raised alarm bells.
Days passed with no trace. Then on June 2, search teams discovered Raja’s decomposed body lodged near the base of Wei Sawdong, a waterfall known for its beauty—and its danger. Alongside the body, police found torn clothes, a bloodstained machete, and a raincoat. The state’s top police officials confirmed the case was no longer one of a missing person—it was now murder.
A Shocking Reappearance in Uttar Pradesh
On June 8, nearly two weeks after the couple went missing, Sonam was found walking along a stretch of highway near a dhaba outside Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh—more than 1,300 kilometres from where Raja’s body was recovered. She had reportedly called her brother, who informed the police. Officers picked her up and handed her over to Meghalaya Police, who arrested her shortly thereafter.
State police officials allege that Sonam conspired with three men to murder Raja. They say one of the arrested suspects, a local guide, identified her in the company of three Hindi-speaking men on the day Raja disappeared. While no official motive has been confirmed, the case has now expanded into a multi-state probe, with police still hunting a fourth suspect who remains at large.
Family Grieves, Doubts, and Demands Answers
Back in Indore, the Raghuvanshi family is struggling to make sense of it all. Uma Raghuvanshi, Raja’s mother, said Sonam was “like a daughter” and had shown no signs of discord in the marriage. “If she’s involved, let the law take its course,” she said. “But don’t jump to conclusions. Investigate the others, too.”
Her voice cracked as she added, “I don’t believe she could do this… not without something else going on.”
Sachin Raghuvanshi, Raja’s younger brother, took a more direct tone. “We just want the truth. Let the CBI handle it. If she’s guilty, fine—but don’t rush it based on assumptions.” He thanked the Meghalaya Police and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for acting quickly but insisted a central probe was needed to clear the air.
Sonam’s Family Rejects All Allegations
Meanwhile, the woman at the centre of it all insists she’s innocent. According to her father, Devi Singh, Sonam was never missing of her own accord. He claimed she managed to escape and return to Uttar Pradesh on her own, without aid. “She called us the moment she could,” Singh said. “These allegations are false. My daughter didn’t kill anyone.”
The Singh family is also pushing for a CBI investigation, saying they plan to approach the Union Home Minister and Madhya Pradesh CM to ensure their daughter gets a fair hearing.
Evidence And Eyewitnesses Under Scrutiny
Investigators say that a series of CCTV clips from the couple’s homestay and cellphone data from the last day may be crucial. Sonam’s last known call was reportedly made to her mother around 1:43 PM on May 23—after which, her phone went dark.
Officials told media that one of the accused has confessed to participating in the murder, though details remain closely guarded. The timeline they’re working with suggests Raja was killed on the day he and Sonam were seen with the three men, but without a motive or clear chain of events, the theory remains incomplete.
A Community Mourns, Social Media Explodes
In Indore, Raja was cremated on June 4. Friends and neighbours gathered in hundreds. Some held posters saying, “I was killed,” calling for justice. Others wept in silence. “He was soft-spoken, well-liked,” said one family friend. “No one deserves to die like this.”
Online, the case has taken on a viral life of its own. Memes accusing Sonam of betrayal flooded platforms like X and Instagram. The hashtag #SonamBewafa began trending soon after police hinted at her possible involvement.
But amid the noise, legal experts warn against jumping to conclusions. “Let the evidence speak. Let the courts decide,” said a senior criminal lawyer in Bhopal, reacting to the media trial already unfolding online.
CBI Probe Likely? Pressure Builds
As pressure mounts, questions are growing around how Sonam travelled across state lines undetected, and whether there were lapses in early coordination between Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh Police. So far, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has supported the ongoing investigation but has not yet commented on whether a CBI handover is under consideration.
What is clear, though, is that both families—despite standing on opposite sides of the case—are calling for the same thing: a deeper investigation by a central agency.
Whether that happens or not, the next few days will be critical. For now, the truth remains buried in the hills of Meghalaya—and in the silences Sonam has yet to break.
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Ravi Juneja is a student journalist currently pursuing his degree from Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication. With a passion for factual reporting and public interest stories, he covers a wide spectrum of news at Hindustan Herald, including politics, health, technology, entertainment, and global affairs. Ravi is committed to delivering balanced, research-backed journalism with a strong sense of responsibility and independence.
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- Ravi Junejahttps://hindustanherald.com/authors/ravi/
- Ravi Junejahttps://hindustanherald.com/authors/ravi/
- Ravi Junejahttps://hindustanherald.com/authors/ravi/
