Tragic Turn in Meghalaya: Husband’s Body Found, Search for Missing Wife Intensifies

Shillong: The Meghalaya Police recovered the body of Raja Raghuvanshi, a tourist from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday, marking a grim development in the case of a newlywed couple reported missing during their honeymoon. The search for his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, continues as authorities comb the rugged terrain of Sohra, also known as Cherrapunji, in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district.

Raja and Sonam, who arrived in the northeastern state on May 20 for their honeymoon, were last seen on May 23 in Sohra, a popular tourist destination. The couple’s rented scooter was found abandoned near Osara Hills, prompting a large-scale search operation involving the Meghalaya Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers. On Monday, a police drone located Raja’s semi-decomposed body in a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls at the Riat Arliang parking lot in Umblai, Sohra. His brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, confirmed the identification, according to Indore Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Prevention Branch) Rajesh Kumar Tripathi. The cause and time of Raja’s death remain under investigation, pending the post-mortem report.

Despite extensive efforts, no trace of Sonam has been found. The couple’s disappearance has drawn significant attention, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah coordinating with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to expedite the search. Indore MP Shankar Lalwani also met with Meghalaya’s Director General of Police, Idashisha Nongrang, to review the ongoing efforts. The family has expressed frustration, alleging delays by the Meghalaya authorities and suggesting that earlier action might have saved Raja’s life. They had previously offered a ₹5 lakh reward for information on the couple’s whereabouts.

Meghalaya Police have now formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe Raja’s death, and a murder case has been registered. The search for Sonam persists, with rescue teams navigating challenging weather and terrain. Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya described the news of Raja’s death as “deeply saddening” in a social media post, noting that the search for Sonam continues despite heavy rains.