Fresh revelations continue to emerge in the chilling murder case of Raja Raghuvanshi, a young man from Madhya Pradesh allegedly murdered by contract killers hired during his honeymoon in Meghalaya. In the latest twist, Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raja’s wife and the alleged mastermind, was seen with two unidentified men in Banaras just hours before she surrendered in Ghazipur.
Seen in Banaras, Surrendered in Ghazipur
Eyewitnesses at Banaras bus stand claim they saw Sonam calmly drinking mango juice while accompanied by two men. Her face was partially covered with a scarf, reportedly to protect herself from the heat. A woman from Saidpur recognized Sonam and struck up a brief conversation, during which Sonam mentioned she was heading to Ghazipur. The woman later informed Raja’s brother, Sachin Raghuvanshi, adding weight to suspicions of Sonam’s movements prior to her arrest.
Later that day, Sonam surrendered at the Nandganj police station in Ghazipur, prompting renewed media interest and police scrutiny.
Background of the Crime
The case has shocked the nation for its cold-blooded execution and the fact that the murder occurred during the couple’s honeymoon. Raja and Sonam had married in April 2024. Just days later, the couple traveled to Meghalaya, where Raja was reported missing. His body was later found in a forest near Cherrapunji.
Investigators allege that Sonam plotted the murder along with her cousin and a close friend, Raj Kushwaha, who is believed to be her lover. They allegedly hired contract killers to eliminate Raja so Sonam could live freely with Raj. The crime appears to have been premeditated, with the killers luring Raja into a secluded location under the guise of a tour plan before murdering him.
Arrests and Investigation
So far, five people have been arrested:
Sonam Raghuvanshi (wife and alleged conspirator)
Raj Kushwaha (lover)
Vishal Singh Chauhan
Anand Kurmi
Akash Rajput
All five are currently in police custody and being interrogated by a joint team from Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya Police.
What’s Next
Police are now investigating the identity of the two men seen with Sonam in Banaras, and whether they played any role in helping her evade arrest. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage from key transit points and phone records to piece together Sonam’s movements between the murder and her surrender.
