A shocking plot unfolds as Sonam Raghuvanshi allegedly shared her live location with lover Raj Kushwaha, enabling hired killers to trail her and husband Raja during their northeast honeymoon, culminating in his murder.
Bhopal – Investigators have uncovered a chilling conspiracy in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, revealing that Sonam Raghuvanshi, who vanished with her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, was in constant contact with her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha. Police allege Sonam shared her live location with Raj, who stayed in Madhya Pradesh and coordinated with three hired killers—Akash Rajput (21) from Lalitpur, Vishal Singh Chauhan (22) from Indore, and Anand Kurmi (23) from Bina—to track the couple. The plan reportedly began days after their May 11 wedding.
A Deadly Pilgrimage Twist
The plot thickened when Sonam insisted on a sudden visit to the Kamakhya temple in Assam, a move investigators believe was a deliberate tactic to assist the killers in pinpointing the couple’s location. The newlyweds, married just 11 days, were found missing on May 23, with Raja’s hacked body discovered in a gorge in Meghalaya’s Sohra area on June 2. His watch and jewelry were missing, suggesting robbery as a possible cover.
Surrender and Arrests
Sonam was apprehended at 2 a.m. on Monday from Kashi Dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway after contacting her brother. Appearing scared and barely able to speak, she surrendered without resistance under Nandganj police station limits. UP ADG Amitabh Yash confirmed her transfer to Meghalaya, where a Ghazipur magistrate granted a three-day transit remand. Meghalaya DGP I Nongrang reported the arrest of three assailants in overnight raids, with a fourth caught on Monday, hailing it as a major breakthrough.
Motive and Betrayal
State tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh suggested a love triangle motive, pointing to a murder-for-hire plot. Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, recalled his concerns about Sonam’s disinterest, unaware of her alleged affair with Raj, an employee at her father’s business. “If she was forced into the marriage, she could have left or eloped—why kill him?” Uma lamented, struggling with the betrayal. The couple had no initial plan for a trip, adding to the family’s shock.
Ongoing Investigation
As the case unfolds, Raja’s family grapples with the loss, while police continue probing the pre-planned murder. CM Conrad Sangma praised the Meghalaya Police’s swift action, reflecting public sentiment on the case’s resolution.