What began as a newlywed honeymoon ended in horror when 25-year-old Sonam Raghuvanshi was arrested for orchestrating the brutal murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, in Meghalaya. Investigators have since revealed that this wasn’t a spontaneous crime — it was the fourth failed attempt before she finally succeeded.
According to police, Sonam never agreed to the marriage willingly. While her family arranged the match, she was allegedly in a long-term relationship with another man, Raj Kushwaha. Unwilling to live with Raja, she began plotting to get rid of him — even before they got married on May 11, 2025.
Four Attempts to Kill
What followed was a chilling sequence of planned murders. Investigators say three previous attempts to kill Raja had failed, including trying to push him into a river, administering spiked drinks, and one instance where someone else pretended to be Raja online in a bid to frame him.
But it was during their honeymoon, on May 23, that the fourth attempt finally worked.
The Murder in Meghalaya
The couple had traveled to Cherrapunji, a scenic destination in Meghalaya. There, Sonam led Raja to a remote location on the pretext of sightseeing. Waiting nearby were three men—accomplices she had brought in with help from her lover.
Raja was assaulted and thrown into a deep gorge. His body was found days later.
A Web of Lies and a Run Across India
After the murder, Sonam tried to cover her tracks. She claimed Raja had gone missing and even told police she was kidnapped. In reality, she fled the state and moved across cities including Guwahati, Siliguri, Patna, and Indore. She used multiple mobile phones bought under fake identities, constantly changing locations to avoid arrest.
Police finally tracked her down and arrested her in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 8.
Raja’s family is devastated. His brother, speaking to reporters, said they were unaware of any trouble in the marriage. He has demanded a narco-analysis test for Sonam and Raj to determine the full scope of their involvement.
Investigation Continues
Police are still uncovering new details as they analyze call records, financial transactions, and travel data. The other accused — including Sonam’s lover and the three hired attackers — are also in custody. Authorities plan to reconstruct the entire crime at the scene next week.
This case, involving deception, manipulation, and repeated attempts at murder, has gripped the public — not only for its brutality but also for the terrifying extent of the planning behind it.
