A month has passed since 24-year-old Sonam Raghuvanshi was sent to Shillong District Jail for the alleged murder of her husband during their honeymoon. During this time, she has reportedly shown no sign of remorse, and no one from her family has contacted her or visited her.
Prison officials confirm that Sonam has adjusted well to life behind bars. She follows the prison’s daily routine without complaint and maintains a low profile. Housed with two other female undertrials in a cell located near the jail warden’s office, she avoids discussing her personal life or the case with anyone inside.
So far, she has not been assigned any formal prison work, though jail staff plan to gradually introduce her to vocational programs such as tailoring. For now, she is allowed to watch television for a few hours each day and remains under constant CCTV surveillance.
With only 20 women inmates among the nearly 500 in Shillong Jail, Sonam is one of just two women currently facing charges for murder.
From Newlywed to Accused
Sonam and her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi (29), were married on May 11. The couple travelled from Uttar Pradesh to Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20. On May 23, they visited Cherrapunji’s popular living root bridge, but never returned.
Raja’s body was discovered in a deep gorge days later, on June 2. A week after that, Sonam was found unconscious at a roadside stall in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. She later turned herself in.
During police questioning, she allegedly confessed to her involvement in her husband’s murder. Authorities claim she had planned the killing with help from three men, including her lover, Raj Kushwaha.
Family Distances Itself
Since her arrest, Sonam’s family has publicly severed ties with her. Her brother has stated that they are supporting Raja’s grieving relatives and want to see justice served. No attempt has been made to contact Sonam since she was jailed.
What’s Next?
The Meghalaya Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to handle the case.
All four accused — Sonam and the three alleged co-conspirators — are in custody.
The trial is ongoing, with public interest and scrutiny increasing as new details emerge.
As the legal process unfolds, Sonam Raghuvanshi remains largely isolated — from both the outside world and her own family. Whether justice will be served is now up to the courts.