Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: Sonam Raghuvanshi Promised ₹20 Lakh to Kill Husband Raja, Say Police

Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of orchestrating the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, allegedly paid ₹20 lakh to contract killers following the crime, according to Meghalaya Police.

A police official said Sonam initially handed over ₹15,000 in cash—taken directly from her husband’s wallet—to the assailants at the time of the murder.

She was arrested on Tuesday after surrendering to authorities in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Later that night, she was transported to Shillong via Patna, Kolkata, and Guwahati. Her arrest came a day after police detained her alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, and three suspected contract killers from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

“Raj Kushwaha claims he backed out at the last minute and did not travel to Meghalaya. He also says he urged the three men not to go, but they proceeded after Sonam booked their tickets. He alleges the trio initially refused to carry out the killing, but Sonam insisted, offering ₹15 lakh for the job. We are in the process of verifying these claims,” said a senior Indore police officer assisting in the investigation.

Throughout her transfer journey, Sonam reportedly remained mostly silent, a Meghalaya police officer noted.

The case took a chilling turn on Monday when disturbing details surfaced, linking Sonam and Kushwaha to the murder. The newlywed couple had tied the knot on May 11 and traveled to Meghalaya on May 21. They were reported missing on May 23—the same day police now believe Raja was killed. His body was found on June 2 in a gorge near a waterfall in Sohra, East Khasi Hills district.

Murder Weapon and Motive

According to the FIR, Raja was murdered with a dao (machete), and his valuables were stolen. “Sonam’s financial dealings with the killers and the large payment afterward strongly indicate a conspiracy,” said East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem. “We are analyzing all available evidence for a thorough probe.”

Investigators believe the murder was meticulously planned by Sonam and her alleged partner, Raj Kushwaha—both from Indore. While Kushwaha did not travel to Meghalaya, he reportedly maintained phone contact with Sonam throughout the trip.

Killers Recount the Crime

Police say the alleged killers told them Sonam pretended to be tired shortly before reaching the murder site. She reportedly guided the assailants behind Raja and, upon reaching a secluded spot, gave the signal to strike.

Officers plan to take Sonam and the three suspects to the crime scene to reconstruct the sequence of events. “We need to verify the timeline and actions of each accused. Sonam will also be taken to the location where the body was allegedly disposed of,” a police official said. “We intend to confront Sonam, Kushwaha, and the killers with the evidence we’ve gathered.”

Police say the attackers posed as tourists, befriended the couple, and carried out the plan under Sonam’s direction.