In a story more twisted than fiction, a seemingly happy honeymoon turned into a cold-blooded murder when a newlywed bride, along with her lover, plotted and executed the killing of her husband amid the misty hills of Meghalaya. The crime, which spanned over three states and involved a team of hired killers, has left the nation stunned — not only by its brutality but also by the shocking betrayal at its core.
The Marriage — and the Murder Plan
Twenty-five-year-old Sonam Raghuvanshi married Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi on May 11. Just a week later, the couple left for their honeymoon to Meghalaya, never knowing that it would be Raja’s final journey. Unknown to Raja, his wife was allegedly in a secret relationship with Raj Kushwaha, a 20-year-old man who worked at her brother’s tiles distribution company.
Indore’s Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotiya revealed that Sonam and Kushwaha had planned the murder even before the wedding. On May 18, just days after Sonam tied the knot, Kushwaha allegedly hired three assassins — Vishal Chauhan, Anand Kumar, and Akash Rajput — to kill Raja while he was still on his honeymoon.
The Perfect Setup — and a Killer Trek
What better location for a murder than the remote, forested hills of Meghalaya where few questions are asked, and evidence can be lost in nature? The couple reached Sohra (Cherrapunji), a tourist haven known for its scenic beauty and secluded trails.
Sonam, police say, kept regular contact with Kushwaha throughout the trip and shared live updates of their whereabouts. It was on May 23, while the couple visited the picturesque Weisawdong Falls, that the killers allegedly struck. A local trekking guide later told police he had seen the couple walking with three unidentified men — Raja up front with the trio, and Sonam trailing behind.
Shortly after, Raja vanished without a trace.
The Body, the Clues, and the Disappearance
A frantic search operation began when the couple was reported missing. Five days later, drones flying over the jungle gorge near Weisawdong spotted a body — it was Raja Raghuvanshi. His body was found amidst rocks, bruised and bloodied, later identified by a tattoo reading “Raja” on his right arm.
Beside the body lay eerie clues: a blood-stained machete with a plastic-wrapped handle, a broken mobile screen, a smartwatch, and a white shirt. Police noted that the machete didn’t resemble local tools and sent it for forensic analysis, suspecting it was brought specially for the murder.
Investigators quickly ruled out an accident. The rented scooter the couple used was found abandoned in Sohrarim, 25 km away, with the keys still in the ignition, further deepening suspicion.
The Missing Bride — and Her Sudden Reappearance
Even as police tried to crack the case, Sonam had mysteriously disappeared. For 17 days, there was no trace of her — until she was found sitting alone at a roadside eatery in Nandganj, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh at 1 a.m. on Monday. Restaurant owner Sahil Yadav said she was crying and borrowed his phone to call her family.
She was taken by the police to a hospital and then transferred to a one-stop center for women. Meghalaya Police are expected to take her into custody for questioning.
Arrests and Ongoing Manhunt
The manhunt that followed led to the arrest of Raj Kushwaha and Vishal Chauhan in Indore. Anand Kumar was picked up in Sagar, while the fourth accused, Akash Rajput, is still absconding. Police are using electronic surveillance and call data to track him down.
Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, said Sonam and her brother were closely connected to Kushwaha, who was employed in his office. Meanwhile, Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, claimed his daughter was innocent and called for a CBI probe, saying, “My daughter cannot kill anyone.”
A Murder That Shook Three States
What started as a romantic getaway turned into a national headline — a calculated crime involving betrayal, premeditation, and murder in one of India’s most serene landscapes. The shocking part? A honeymoon was used as the bait.
