As police began digging deeper into the case, they found something strange in Sonam Raghuvanshi’s phone records: she had made over 100 calls—some reports say even up to 119—to a man saved in her phone as “Sanjay Verma”. But here’s the twist: there’s no real Sanjay Verma. That number belonged to Raj Kushwaha, a man who worked at her family’s business and, according to investigators, had been her boyfriend for years.
What started as a dreamy honeymoon in the hills of Meghalaya has now become one of the most shocking crime stories of the year.
Raja Raghuvanshi, a 30-year-old man from Indore, had just gotten married to Sonam Raghuvanshi on May 11. Barely two weeks later, he was found dead in a gorge near the popular tourist spot, Wei Sawdong Falls, in Meghalaya. His body, badly decomposed and with signs of head trauma, was discovered on June 2.
A Chilling Plot Unfolds
Police believe Sonam and Kushwaha planned Raja’s murder together. To carry it out, they allegedly hired three contract killers who followed the couple during their honeymoon.
According to the investigation, there were at least three failed attempts to kill Raja—first in Guwahati, then Nongriat, and finally near the scenic but dangerous Wei Sawdong Falls. It was there, on May 23, that the attackers struck. A machete, bloodied clothes, and security footage have all been recovered as part of the evidence.
After the murder, Sonam vanished. She reportedly traveled through several states—Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh—before being arrested in Ghazipur on June 8.
What Was the Motive?
So far, the motive appears to be a mix of personal and possibly financial reasons. Investigators are looking into whether property, money, or jealousy played a role in the murder. Kushwaha, it seems, wanted Sonam for himself—and Sonam may have wanted out of the marriage she had just entered.
All five suspects—Sonam, Kushwaha, and the three hired attackers—are now in police custody. Sonam is being questioned in Meghalaya, where the murder took place.
A Family Torn Apart
Raja’s family is devastated. They’re demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), claiming that this was a planned, cold-blooded murder. They say they noticed Sonam’s behavior was suspicious even before the couple left for their trip.
Sonam’s family, meanwhile, insists she is innocent and has also called for a fair investigation.
Shockwaves in Meghalaya’s Tourism Sector
The case has also raised concerns about safety in Meghalaya, especially for tourists. Authorities are being urged to increase surveillance and take extra precautions in remote tourist spots.
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.
