Indore: Social media influencer Shrasti Raghuwanshi is facing strong backlash after she posted promotional videos on Instagram just days after her brother Raja Raghuvanshi was found murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya. Despite the tragic circumstances, Shrasti – who claims to be Raja’s sister and has over 390,000 followers – continued sharing lighthearted and branded content, sparking outrage online.
One now-deleted video, posted four days after Raja’s decomposed body was found on June 2, promoted a massage parlour in Indore. Another promotional reel advertising a smartphone sale was posted on June 1, a day before Raja’s body was recovered from a gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Meghalaya. That video remains on her profile.
Background: Raja Raghuvanshi’s Murder
Raja, a 29-year-old businessman from Indore, went missing on May 23 during a honeymoon trip with his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi. His body was found on June 2 in a gorge in East Khasi Hills. His wife remained missing for two weeks until she was located at a roadside dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 3.
Police investigations later revealed that Sonam had allegedly conspired with her lover, Raj Kushwaha, to murder Raja. Both, along with three hired killers, have since been arrested.
Social Media Backlash
Shrasti’s seemingly normal and upbeat promotional posts during and after the disappearance drew widespread condemnation, with many calling them “tone-deaf”, “insensitive”, and “disrespectful” given the tragic situation involving her brother.
While Shrasti has since deleted or archived some videos, criticism continues. Several of her recent posts now show her demanding justice for Raja, often paired with emotional captions and dramatic music. In one reel, she openly condemns Sonam and calls for the harshest punishment for all involved in her brother’s murder.
Mixed Reactions
While much of the response online has been negative, some users have defended Shrasti, suggesting that her content could have been pre-scheduled before the tragedy unfolded. Others argue that grieving processes are personal and can manifest in different ways.