Meghalaya Police on Thursday disclosed chilling details surrounding the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, allegedly orchestrated by his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, and her lover Raj Kushwaha. Raja was murdered on May 23 while on his honeymoon in Meghalaya, revealing what police describe as a meticulously premeditated crime.
According to Shillong Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, all five accused, including Sonam and Raj, confessed during initial police custody interrogation. Investigators say the murder was planned 11 days before Sonam’s wedding to Raja, with conspiracies dating as far back as February.
Police debunked speculation of a contract killing, stating Raj’s three accomplices—including a cousin—acted out of loyalty, not for money. Multiple murder plots were devised, including faking Sonam’s death by drowning or using a charred body of another woman to fake her identity. When these plans failed, Sonam went ahead with the wedding.
The murder was executed in Wahkdait, Nongriat, after three earlier attempts in Guwahati, Nongriat, and Mawkhlieh fell through. On May 23, while Raja stepped away to use a restroom near a parking lot, he was fatally attacked by Raj’s accomplices. Sonam was present during the killing, according to police.
Following the crime, Sonam handed over her blood-stained raincoat to an accomplice and fled the scene on a scooter. Disguised in a burqa, she traveled across several cities—including Guwahati, Siliguri, Patna, Ara, Lucknow, and finally Indore—evading arrest for over two weeks.
Her arrest on June 8 was triggered by Raj's panic after the detention of their three accomplices. He instructed Sonam to flee again and stage a kidnapping in Siliguri. The plan aimed to portray her as a victim while Raja’s body decomposed beyond recognition, concealing their crime.
Investigators believe Sonam may have married Raja under family pressure and felt cornered, pushing her toward a deadly conspiracy. Police have gathered substantial evidence and plan to file a chargesheet within 90 days.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)