Shillong, June 10: The Meghalaya police on Monday revealed that Sonam Raghuvanshi, wife of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi, orchestrated her husband’s murder during their honeymoon. Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge at Sohrarim near Cherrapunji on June 2, days after the couple had gone missing on May 23.
A vital clue came from a local tour guide, who spotted the couple with three unidentified men shortly before their disappearance.
Tour Guide’s Key Testimony:
Albert Pde, a tourist guide from Mawlakhiat, told PTI that on May 23 at 10 am, he saw Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi accompanied by three men climbing the over 3,000 steps from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat.
“The four men were walking ahead while the woman followed behind. They were conversing in Hindi, but I couldn’t understand the conversation as I know only Khasi and English,” Pde said.
He also stated that on May 22, he had offered to guide the couple, but they chose another local guide named Bha Wansai instead. That night, they stayed at Shipara Homestay, returning the next day without a guide.
“By the time I reached Mawlakhiat, their scooter was not there,” Pde added.
The rented scooter was later found abandoned near Sohrarim, with the keys still in place.
Murder Plot and Arrests:
According to Meghalaya DGP I Nongrang, three men have been arrested, and they allegedly confessed that Sonam had hired them to kill her husband.
“One accused was picked up from Uttar Pradesh, and two more from Indore. The arrested men revealed that the victim’s wife had hired them,” Nongrang told PTI.
Sonam surrendered at Nandganj police station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and was taken into custody. The Meghalaya Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to hunt for at least one more suspect.
Chief Minister Praises Police:
Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma lauded the swift action, posting on X:
“Within 7 days, a breakthrough has been achieved by the #MeghalayaPolice in the Raja murder case. 3 assailants from Madhya Pradesh arrested, a female has surrendered, and the operation is still on to catch one more assailant. Well done #MeghalayaPolice.”
Background:
Raja and Sonam were last seen on May 23, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. Raja’s family raised concerns after the couple went missing and later appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a CBI investigation, alleging foul play and slow progress by local authorities.