In a dramatic twist in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, investigators say a simple WhatsApp check by Sonam Raghuvanshi, the woman accused of plotting her husband’s killing became the key to tracking her down.
The Digital Trail That Exposed Her
According to police, Sonam and her husband Raja Raghuvanshi carried four mobile phones during their trip to Meghalaya. After Raja was allegedly murdered by three hired killers reportedly at Sonam’s behest, she tried to destroy his phone to eliminate evidence.
However, three other phones linked to Sonam are still missing. Investigators believe they hold crucial clues about the planning of the murder and what happened afterward. A search for the devices is currently underway across multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Despite her efforts to disappear without leaving a trace, Sonam made a key mistake. After returning to Indore, she reinserted her SIM card, turned on mobile data, and briefly opened WhatsApp. That moment of digital activity allowed police to track her exact location.
“We were monitoring phone activity and picked up her signal when she went online. That gave us the breakthrough we needed,” a police officer revealed.
Recreating the Crime: From Honeymoon to Homicide
As part of their ongoing investigation, the Meghalaya Police recently reconstructed the murder scene near Wei Sawdong Falls in Cherrapunji. This effort was led by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and included Sonam and the three men accused of carrying out the murder.
Investigators retraced the group’s movements from Mawlakhiat to the exact spot where Raja was killed. “We visited the location where the attack occurred and mapped out the positions of everyone involved,” said Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills.
According to police, two machetes were used in the attack. One has been recovered; the search continues for the second weapon.
What Sonam Told Police
During interrogation, Sonam is said to have confessed to her involvement. Investigators claim she stood nearby while the three men assaulted Raja, then later destroyed his phone to erase any digital evidence.
“She watched it happen and took steps to cover their tracks afterward,” SP Syiem said.
A Murder That Was Carefully Planned
None of the accused had visited Meghalaya before, indicating that the entire operation was pre-planned with logistics arranged in advance. After the killing, the group allegedly disposed of Raja’s body by dumping it into a nearby gorge.
Meanwhile, a police team from Meghalaya has been stationed in Indore to continue the investigation. They are interviewing additional witnesses and associates who may have had knowledge of the crime.
“They’ll be in Indore for some time to follow up on leads and question people connected to the case,” SP Syiem added.
