'Raj Not Raja’: Lover Raj Kushwaha Named Mastermind in Honeymoon Murder, Call Records Expose Secret Affair

Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case: The case has taken a darker and more shocking turn after the arrest of Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of being involved in the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was found at the bottom of a deep gorge in Meghalaya.

In a major breakthrough, police have revealed that Raj Kushwaha, allegedly Sonam's lover, has been identified as the mastermind behind the murder. Investigators believe the killing was part of a pre-planned conspiracy involving multiple people.

According to police sources, Sonam loved Raj, not Raja, and the two had allegedly plotted the murder together. Raj Kushwaha, along with two others Anand and Vicky Thakur have been named as the main accused in the case.

Joint Operation by Indore and Shillong Police

The breakthrough came through a joint operation between Indore Police, Shillong Police, and the Indore Crime Branch, who had shared key intelligence with Ghazipur Police in Uttar Pradesh. Based on the call records, police were able to trace and arrest Raj Kushwaha, who is now in custody.

During interrogation, another accused, Anand, confessed to being the first to physically attack Raja, Sonam’s husband. All three men Raj, Anand, and Vicky are now under investigation for their alleged role in the murder.

Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case Timeline

Newlyweds Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, both residents of Indore, had traveled to Meghalaya in May for their honeymoon. The couple checked into a guest house in Shillong on May 21 and later traveled to the popular tourist spot Sohra (Cherrapunjee).

On May 23, both went missing after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village. Police launched a search after a local guide reported their absence. Raja’s semi-decomposed body was found on June 2 at the bottom of a gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls, with injuries indicating he was murdered using a sharp weapon.

Their rented scooter was later found abandoned in Sohrarim, with the keys still attached. A bloodstained weapon and a raincoat were also recovered from Mawkma village, a few kilometers from where the body was found.

Sonam Found in Ghazipur, Arrested

On the night of June 8, Sonam was found at a dhaba (roadside eatery) on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway. She had reportedly been crying and called her brother for help. Acting on this information, police located her and took her for medical check-up at Sadar Hospital, after which she was kept at a One Stop Center and later arrested.

Family Denies Charges, Seeks CBI Probe

Following Sonam’s arrest, her father Devi Singh Raghuvanshi publicly denied the allegations, claiming that his daughter is innocent and is being framed by the police. He demanded a CBI investigation, stating:

“My daughter cannot do this. She and Raja were married with both families' consent. The Meghalaya Police is creating false stories to trap her.”

He further said that Sonam reached Ghazipur on her own and was not hiding or trying to escape. Sonam’s mother, too, expressed pain over Raja’s death but stood by her daughter, saying the truth must come out.

Despite the family’s statements, police officials maintain that Sonam was actively involved in plotting her husband’s murder with the help of Raj Kushwaha and others. Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang confirmed that four people have been arrested so far and a fifth suspect is still absconding.