In a dramatic twist to the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case that shocked the nation, two of the men accused of helping Sonam Raghuvanshi kill her husband Raja have retracted their earlier confessions, choosing to remain silent during their appearance before a magistrate, police confirmed on Thursday.
According to Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor, Superintendent of Police, Shillong City, and head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder, the two accused—Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi—refused to testify or make any statement when produced before a magistrate.
“They exercised their right to stay silent. But that does not derail the investigation. We have strong material evidence and are awaiting the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report,” Mr Kharkongor told NDTV.
He emphasized that confessions made to police are not legally admissible in court, and only statements recorded before a magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) hold evidentiary value. Statements under Section 180, while helpful during investigation, are not admissible as proof.
A Chilling Murder During a Honeymoon
The case began as a simple missing persons report involving a newlywed couple from Indore — 29-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam, 24. The two had married on May 11, despite Sonam’s ongoing romantic relationship with Raj Kushwaha, an accountant in her family business.
Their honeymoon in Meghalaya took a tragic turn. The couple checked out of a homestay in Nongriat village on May 23, and then disappeared. Raja’s body was discovered on June 2, about 20 km from where they had last been seen. The case soon transformed from a missing persons investigation into a shocking murder probe.
The Plot Unravels
According to police, Sonam orchestrated her husband’s murder with the help of Raj and three other men — Akash Rajput, Anand Kurmi, and Vishal Singh Chauhan. Police say Sonam’s cousin, Jitendra Raghuvanshi, even paid the first installment to the hired killers.
As the investigation widened, Sonam resurfaced on June 8 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and surrendered at a local police station. By then, Akash, Vishal, and Anand had already been arrested from locations in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with Raj being arrested soon after.
Family Outrage and Fallout
Sonam’s actions have drawn public condemnation — not least from her own family. Her brother Govind Raghuvanshi said the family has cut all ties with her and pledged support to Raja’s grieving family.
“We are ashamed. We stand with Raja’s family and will support them in their fight for justice,” Govind said.
Investigation Expands: More Arrests Made
While the murder appeared to be rooted in a love affair, investigators are looking beyond that angle. On Tuesday, Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also oversees the Home Department, said three more people have been arrested in connection with the case.
These include:
Lokendra Singh Tomar, owner of the flat where Sonam stayed in Indore after the crime
Silome James, the property dealer who arranged the rental
Balbir alias Ballu, a security guard from the area
All three are being questioned for potentially aiding the accused while they were absconding.
What Lies Ahead
While two of the accused have chosen silence, police remain confident. “The case doesn’t rest on confession alone. We have digital, forensic, and circumstantial evidence. The silence of the accused will not save them,” said Kharkongor.
With the FSL report pending and more people under the scanner, the investigation continues to unfold — exposing not just a horrifying betrayal but what police believe could be a well-orchestrated conspiracy that extended far beyond a honeymoon gone wrong.
