Indore Woman Sonam Raghuvanshi Also Under Investigation; Meghalaya Police Conduct Nationwide Raids
The Meghalaya police have identified 21-year-old Raj Kushwaha as the prime accused in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi after recovering Raja’s body from a deep gorge near the Wei Sawdong waterfalls in Sohra, Meghalaya, following the mysterious disappearance of the newlywed Indore couple.
Authorities initially registered the case as a missing persons report on May 23, but they escalated it to a homicide probe after they discovered Raja’s body on June 2. The accused now appear to have carefully orchestrated the murder during what was meant to be a honeymoon trip.
Alleged Affair and Murder Conspiracy
Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem of East Khasi Hills stated that Raj Kushwaha, who was not physically present in Meghalaya, is suspected to be in a relationship with Sonam Raghuvanshi, the deceased’s wife. Police indicate that Sonam may have played a key role in the planning and execution of the crime, though her involvement is still under investigation.
Four individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the murder:
- Raj Kushwaha (21), arrested from Indore
- Vishal Singh Chauham (22), also arrested in Indore
- Akash Rajput (19), nabbed in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Anand Singh Kurmi (23), arrested from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
Sonam reportedly surrendered in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday night and is currently in local police custody. A team from Meghalaya is en route to obtain her transit remand for interrogation.
Murder Timeline and Method
SP Syiem revealed that the three men allegedly murdered the couple on May 23, the same day police reported them missing. An autopsy confirmed that Raja suffered sharp injuries on his head, pointing toward a violent death. The suspects fled the state on the day of the incident.
The terrain and torrential rains posed significant challenges during the body search. “The biggest challenge was locating the body in such rough weather and difficult landscape,” said SP Syiem.
Motivation Still Under Scrutiny
While the police have not confirmed the exact motive, early investigations strongly suggest that the relationship between Raj and Sonam is central to the crime. “If we connect the dots, it places Raj Kushwaha and Sonam at the centre,” Syiem said.
The murder has shocked both Meghalaya and the home state of the couple, Madhya Pradesh, and raised concerns over safety for tourists in remote areas.
