Shillong (Meghalaya)– A newlywed couple from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, who went missing in Meghalaya during their honeymoon on May 23, have become the focus of a high-profile investigation after the body of the husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was recovered from a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls. The search for his missing wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, is still ongoing, as police suspect foul play in the case.
Disturbing Voice Message, Mysterious Disappearance
Raja’s mother received a distressful voice message from Sonam on the day they went missing. In the recording, Sonam, audibly breathless, mentioned trekking to a waterfall and insisted on continuing her religious fast. The message abruptly ended, marking the last known contact from her.
Clues and Recovery Efforts
Authorities have now recovered several items during their search:
- A black 3XL-sized raincoat with visible stains (pending forensic analysis to confirm if it’s blood)
- A smashed mobile phone
- A machete
- A white shirt, medicine, a smartwatch, and a broken phone screen
These were recovered from the same gorge where Raja’s body was spotted by a police drone. His identity was confirmed through a tattoo reading “Raja” on his right arm.
Unanswered Questions
SP Vivek Syiem called Sonam’s disappearance “inexplicable”, saying:
“It is very unusual… while we found Raja’s body, there is no trace at all of Sonam. She seems to have vanished, despite the vast and relentless search operation.”
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe what the police are now treating as homicide.
Adding to the mystery, the scooter the couple rented was found abandoned in Sohrarim, about 25 km from the gorge, with the key still in the ignition.
Challenges in Search Operation
Persistent heavy rains and strong winds in the region have severely hampered search efforts. Multiple agencies, including drone and aerial surveillance teams, are now involved in navigating the rugged and forested terrain.