Meghalaya honeymoon horror: Bride returned parents’ home days after wedding to plot husband’s murder, say police

Shillong: A honeymoon in Meghalaya took a sinister turn when newlywed Raja Raghuvanshi was found dead in a gorge on June 2, initially suspected to be a case of robbery.

However, police now claim it was a premeditated murder orchestrated by his wife Sonam and her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha.

Authorities say Sonam returned to her parents' home in Uttar Pradesh just four days after the wedding, under the guise of a post-marriage ritual, and used the opportunity to allegedly plan Raja’s murder with Raj. Investigators believe the killing was carried out so Sonam could reunite with her lover.

The case, which has drawn nationwide attention, was investigated by a special investigation team (SIT) including SDRF, NDRF, and intelligence agencies. Sonam was arrested at a roadside eatery in Ghazipur, UP. Four other suspects were also held: Akash Rajput (21), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), Raj Kushwaha (21) from Indore, and Anand Kurmi (23) from Satna, MP.

Raj Kushwaha, an accountant in Sonam’s family business, had been in a relationship with her, which was reportedly opposed by her family. Sonam was married to Raja through a Kushwaha community network. Police said Raj remained in Indore while the other three accused travelled to Assam, allegedly following the honeymooning couple.

Investigators allege Sonam shared her live location with Raj and the other accused throughout the trip. She also reportedly encouraged Raja to extend their stay in Shillong as part of the murder plan. The murder weapon—a machete or 'dao'—was allegedly bought in Guwahati.

Eyewitness accounts and surveillance data helped piece together the timeline. A tourist guide told police he saw the couple with three Hindi-speaking men on May 23 while trekking from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat—confirming that the accused had been trailing them.

East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said the evidence pointed to prior coordination and planning. The arrested men are being interrogated, and authorities are working to establish each suspect's exact role.

Sonam maintains her innocence, telling police that her husband was murdered by miscreants who stole his jewellery. Her father has claimed she is being framed.

Court proceedings for the suspects are ongoing in Indore and further questioning is expected to shed more light on the alleged conspiracy.