Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: Did Sonam plot Raja's murder just 4 days after wedding? New details emerge

What began as a baffling case of missing honeymooners in the picturesque hills of Meghalaya has culminated in a chilling tale of alleged betrayal and murder.

Initially, authorities believed Raja Raghuvanshi and his new bride, Sonam, might have simply lost their way during a trek. However, the discovery of Raja's body on June 2 in a gorge, accompanied by a 'dao' (machete) and a phone, alongside a blood-stained raincoat kilometers away, quickly shifted the focus to a suspected robbery. The missing gold ring and chain from his body solidified this theory. Yet, as investigators delved deeper, the narrative took a sinister turn.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising SDRF, NDRF, and central and state intelligence units, was formed to crack the case, which had garnered nationwide attention. Both families had even called for a CBI probe. The police on Monday arrested Sonam from a dhaba in UP, along with four other suspects, including her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha.

'I didn't kill my husband': Sonam Raghuvanshi

Despite the arrests, new details continued to emerge. Sonam initially told Ghazipur police that miscreants had robbed and killed Raja near the falls but remained tight-lipped about her whereabouts or escape.

"I didn't kill my husband. They killed him for the jewellery," Sonam stated, referring to the four arrested men: Akash Rajput, 21, from Lalitpur (UP), Vishal Singh Chauhan, 22, and Kushwaha, 21, both from Indore, and Anand Kurmi, 23, from Satna in MP.

Indore additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya confirmed, "Akash, Vishal and Raj were produced in court and sent on seven-day transit remand. Anand is being brought to Indore & will be presented in court Tuesday."

Raj, suspected to be the prime co-conspirator, reportedly lived near Sonam's home previously and worked as an accountant in her family business, a role he continued even after moving away a year ago. Police allege Sonam's family opposed her relationship with Raj, leading to her arranged marriage with Raja through a Kushwaha community network.

Did Sonam plot Raja's murder at her home?

Investigators said that merely four days after her wedding, when Sonam returned to her parental home for a post-marriage ritual, she allegedly plotted her husband's murder with Raj. The alleged motive was to eliminate Raja swiftly so she could reunite with Raj.

East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem alleged that Sonam was consistently sending her location to Raj throughout the trip. Investigators suspect the killers shadowed the couple after their visit to Kamakhya temple in Guwahati. Police allege that while Raj remained in Indore, Akash, Vishal, and Anand traveled by train to Assam.

"The murder weapon was purchased in Guwahati," an officer in Indore revealed. Sonam reportedly insisted on extending their stay in Shillong, a move now viewed by investigators as part of a premeditated plan.

Tourist guide Albert Pde's testimony proved crucial. He informed investigators that he saw the couple with three Hindi-speaking men on May 23 as they ascended 3,000 steps from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat, a detail that strongly suggested outsiders were shadowing the honeymooners.

"All the dots connected to indicate that there was prior planning," SP Syiem stated. He added, "We will confirm everything once the accused are interrogated together." Sonam's parents, however, have dismissed the allegations, with her father, Devi Singh, claiming his daughter is being "framed" by the police.

(With inputs from ToI)