How ‘mangalsutra and ring’ turned missing honeymoon couple case into a chilling murder mystery

Shillong: Indore woman, Sonam Raghuvanshi, has been sent to 8-day-police custody for allegedly plotting the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. A key clue that led police to suspect her involvement was her mangalsutra and a ring left behind in their hotel room.

Deputy Inspector General DNR Marak told NDTV that police grew suspicious when they found the traditional marital neckpiece and ring abandoned in a suitcase at the couple's homestay. "Why would a woman who recently got married leave her mangalsutra in a suitcase during their honeymoon?" Marak questioned.

Investigations revealed that Sonam had conspired with her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha her father’s employee, to carry out the murder. The couple reportedly hired three contract killers for the job.

Hired killers to kill her husband

According to police, the crime took place on May 23 during a trekking trip. Sonam walked ahead, pretending to take photos, while the killers struck Raja from behind. The group allegedly dumped his body into a nearby gorge, with Sonam’s help.

Raja’s body was found on June 2, but Sonam was missing until June 9, when she resurfaced in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. There, she claimed she had been drugged and taken to Ghazipur. However, police dismissed her story as false and arrested her.

The police officer also claimed that Raja and Sonam had two mobile phones each, of which only one has been recovered, and a search is on for the remaining three.

Sources told PTI that Sonam had lured Raja to Meghalaya under the pretext of visiting the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati before consummating their marriage.

Accused sent to 8 days of police custody:

On Wednesday, a Shillong court sent Sonam and her four alleged accomplices to eight days of police custody. “Police had sought 10 days, but the court approved an 8-day remand,” East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem told PTI.

The investigation continues as authorities gather more evidence in this shocking case of betrayal and murder.