Date Published: June 9, 2025
Location: Meghalaya, India | Victims: Raja Raghuvanshi (29) & Sonam Raghuvanshi (25)
Incident Timeline: May 11–June 9, 2025

Sonam Raghuvanshi surrendered at a police station in Ghazipur, India, on Monday, June 9

❤️ A Fairytale Wedding – May 11, 2025

Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raja Raghuvanshi, a young couple from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, tied the knot on May 11, 2025. Their wedding was celebrated with family and friends in a traditional yet joyous setting.

Just days after, the couple set out on a honeymoon trip that was meant to be the beginning of their happily-ever-after. They chose Meghalaya, known for its lush hills, waterfalls, and scenic trekking routes.

✈️ The Honeymoon Begins – May 20, 2025

• May 20: The couple flew from Indore to Guwahati and made their way to Shillong.

• May 21: They reached Shillong and checked into a hotel.

• May 22: They left for Nongriat village via scooter, planning to trek the iconic double-decker living root bridges.

A local guide, Albert Pde, offered to take them through the trail. His offer was declined—yet he later saw them with three unknown Hindi-speaking men on the same day around 1:30 PM.

📵 Suspicious Silence – May 23, 2025

• The couple checked out of their stay early morning.

• At 1:43 PM, both Raja and Sonam’s phones were turned off simultaneously.

• Their rented scooter was later found abandoned near Sohra on May 24, raising immediate red flags.

Police launched an investigation with drone surveillance and local tracking.

⚰️ A Grisly Discovery – June 2, 2025

On June 2, Raja’s decomposed body was discovered deep inside a 100-meter gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls, Cherrapunji. Forensic teams reported:

• Fatal injuries from a dao (machete) to his head.

• A raincoat, broken phone, smartwatch, and a blood-stained weapon were recovered near the site.

• Jewelry worth ₹10 lakh was missing from Raja’s body.

🏃‍♀️ Sonam Disappears — Then Surrenders

For 10 days, Sonam remained untraceable. Then:

• June 8, 2025 (11:30 PM): Sonam was spotted at a dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, distressed and asking for help.

• June 9, 2025 (Early morning): She surrendered to Ghazipur Police, claiming:

“My husband died while trying to save me.”

🔍 The Web of Conspiracy Unraveled – June 9, 2025

Investigators weren’t convinced by Sonam’s narrative. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) soon discovered:

• 4 Suspects arrested:

  • Raj Singh Kushwaha (21) – Sonam’s employee and alleged lover

  • Vishal Chauhan (22) – Indore-based youth

  • Akash Rajput (19) – From Lalitpur, UP

  • Anand Kurmi (23) – From Sagar, MP

Key revelations:

• Sonam was allegedly in a secret relationship with Raj Kushwaha.

• She plotted Raja’s murder to start a new life with her lover.

• The hired killers followed the couple, disguised as tourists, and attacked Raja at the scenic waterfall.

💔 Families React

• Raja’s mother: Heartbroken and demanding death penalty for all accused.

• Sonam’s father, Devi Singh: Denied all charges, claiming his daughter is being framed and calling for a CBI probe.

🧠 Digital & Forensic Breakthroughs

• CCTV footage, forensic samples, and the local guide’s testimony played a critical role in solving the crime.

• The entire plot was meticulously planned, with no return tickets booked.

• Raja’s frequent communication with Sonam’s alleged lover was also flagged.

📅 Detailed Timeline of Events

⚖️ Legal & Social Ramifications

• Meghalaya Police filed charges under IPC Sections 302 (Murder) and 120B (Criminal Conspiracy).

• Public sentiment has been sharply divided between betrayal and victim-blaming.

• The story has triggered national debates on trust in relationships, domestic violence, and mental health.