‘Sanjay Verma’ Was Alias of Mastermind in Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder, Police Reveal

A new twist has emerged in the chilling Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, as police revealed that the mysterious “Sanjay Verma” — with whom accused Sonam Raghuvanshi had exchanged over 100 phone calls before and after her marriage — was actually her boyfriend and alleged co-conspirator Raj Kushwaha.

Sonam, who was arrested for orchestrating the murder of her husband, Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, is accused of conspiring with Kushwaha, who hired three contract killers to carry out the crime. Raja was brutally hacked to death on May 23 in Sohra (Cherrapunji), East Khasi Hills district, during what was supposed to be the couple’s honeymoon.

Police confirmed on Wednesday that “Sanjay Verma” was an alias used by Kushwaha.

“We discovered Sonam made over 100 phone calls to one Sanjay Verma before her marriage to Raja, and the calls continued even after the wedding,” said SP Vivek Syiem of East Khasi Hills district. “Upon investigation, we found Verma was actually Raj Kushwaha.”

A police team was sent to Indore, where Kushwaha had gone off the radar, with his phone switched off. Authorities are now probing whether others stood to benefit from Raja’s death.

Meanwhile, Sonam’s brother Govind distanced himself from the developments.

“I don’t know anything about Sanjay Verma,” he told reporters. “I had only come to show where Raj used to work. I also only heard today that this Sanjay Verma is involved.”

SIT Investigating Financial Motive

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrived in Indore to examine the possibility of a financial motive beyond the suspected love triangle. Investigators say the crime was carefully planned — with three earlier failed attempts to murder Raja in Guwahati, Nongriat, and near Weisawdong Falls before the fatal attack in Sohra.

Kushwaha, who did not travel to Meghalaya to avoid raising suspicion, is employed in a business run by Sonam’s family, police said.

Raja and Sonam were married on May 11 in Indore and left for Meghalaya on May 20. They were reported missing on May 23, and Raja’s decomposed body was discovered on June 2. After the murder, Sonam fled across multiple states — Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh — before returning to Indore.

Police say a key clue was found at a Sohra homestay: Sonam had left behind her mangalsutra and a ring in a trolley bag, triggering suspicions that led to her arrest. The five accused — including Sonam and the three contract killers — have now been taken into custody, and the crime scene was reconstructed on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation.