Since their disappearance on May 23, newlywed couple Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi from Indore have captured national attention. Their honeymoon trek near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya initially suggested innocence—witnesses reported no signs of distress in the last 12 hours before they vanished, aside from some restlessness. Their scooter was later found abandoned, and a black raincoat and a white shirt were discovered and sent for forensic tests.
A chilling breakthrough came on June 2, when Raja’s decomposed body was found in a gorge below Wei Sawdong Falls by an NDRF drone team. Meghalaya Police confirmed his death as a suspected homicide, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Posters bearing the words “I was killed” at Raja’s funeral echoed the family’s belief of foul play, and they called for a CBI investigation, criticizing the local police’s approach.
As the investigation intensified, the Meghalayan police accused Sonam of orchestrating the crime—alleging she hired four men to carry out her husband’s murder using a machete (‘dao’). All four suspects, including Sonam herself, have been arrested in various states. CCTV footage and confessions reportedly link Sonam to the plot.
Meanwhile, Sonam’s father denies all accusations, stating his daughter voluntarily reached Ghazipur and is innocent of any involvement. He has requested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to guarantee a fair, unbiased investigation. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also urged Meghalaya’s Director-General of Police to broaden the inquiry—employing drones, sniffer dogs, and extensive search teams in the hope that Sonam may still be alive . The family emphasizes key items like her phone and bag remain missing, fueling theories of abduction rather than guilt .
The case has thus evolved from a tragic disappearance to a controversial murder investigation with political and social ramifications. With both families appealing for a CBI-led investigation, the eyes of the nation are on Meghalaya’s SIT and investigative agencies as they navigate conflicting narratives, forensic evidence, and the public demand for justice.
