In a chilling twist to the Meghalaya honeymoon tragedy, police have confirmed that Sonam Raghuvanshi, who had been missing for 17 days, allegedly hired contract killers to murder her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their vacation. The case, which began as a missing persons report, has now turned into a premeditated murder investigation.
Sonam Found At Eatery In UP's Ghazipur
Sonam was found at a roadside eatery (dhaba) in the Nandganj area of Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh, as per reports on Monday. She had gone missing from Meghalaya, where the body of her husband, Raja, was earlier recovered under suspicious circumstances. The Indore couple was on a honeymoon trip.
According to reports, Sonam was found in a disoriented and distressed state. She is reportedly unable to speak or provide any information about what happened to her during her disappearance. Authorities are now focusing on her medical evaluation and psychological condition before proceeding with questioning.
Sonam Allegedly Hired Contract Killers For Husband's Murder
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang confirmed that four people, including Sonam herself, have been arrested in connection with Raja's murder. In a shocking revelation, the DGP said that Sonam allegedly conspired to have her husband killed and had hired contract killers to execute the plan during their honeymoon. The accused were reportedly tracked down and taken into custody following an intensive investigation by Meghalaya Police.
Meghalaya CM Praises Cops For Solving Murder Mystery
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma praised the state police for cracking the murder case that had shocked the nation. While informing about the arrests in the case, Sangma lauded the efforts of cops to crack the mystery within seven days and also arrest the accused.
"Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #meghalayapolice in the Raja murder case... 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant. well done," he posted on X.
Raja's Body Found In Gorge
The body of Raja Raghuvanshi from Indore was recovered on June 2 from a deep gorge near the Weisawdong parking area. His body was found eight days after he and his wife, Sonam, were reported missing while trekking in the region.
The recovery operation was especially challenging, requiring drone assistance due to the rugged terrain and depth of the gorge. Authorities were able to confirm Raja's identity through a distinctive tattoo on his body. Alongside the remains, cops also recovered a smartwatch, fragments of a mobile phone and a woman’s shirt, clues that suggest the couple may have been together at the time of the incident.
According to police, the couple had arrived in Meghalaya on May 20 for a honeymoon trip. On May 23, they were last seen leaving a guesthouse in Nongriat village after visiting the iconic Double Decker Root Bridge. When they failed to return, a search was launched. Days later, their rented scooter was found abandoned near a café on the Shillong–Sohra road, raising further suspicions.
