Search for Missing Indore Bride Intensifies in Meghalaya Gorge
In Meghalaya’s rugged Sohra region, a 17-member rescue team is battling treacherous terrain and adverse weather to locate Sonam Raghuvanshi, a 27-year-old newlywed from Indore who vanished on May 23 during her honeymoon. Her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found murdered in a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls, with his body discovered by a police drone on June 2 at 11:48 am. The couple’s disappearance has sparked a high-profile investigation, with new clues emerging, including a stained raincoat and CCTV footage.
The search for Sonam has been hindered by the challenging 300-foot gorge, where the final 100 feet remain inaccessible due to heavy rain and slippery conditions. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), led by Inspector Lalringsan of the 1st Battalion, has deployed rappelling equipment to navigate the steep, fog-laden terrain. “The soil is wet, and the stones are slippery,” Lalringsan told noting that the Sohra landscape poses unique difficulties compared to other regions like Kashmir or Rajasthan. Despite descending 200 meters, the team has been unable to reach the gorge’s base.
A black raincoat with unidentified stains, recovered near Mawkma Road, is undergoing forensic analysis to determine its connection to Sonam. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, speaking to The Indian Express, cautioned that it’s premature to confirm if the stains are blood or if the 3XL raincoat belongs to the missing woman. Sonam’s brother, Govind, dismissed the raincoat as hers, citing its oversized fit, and noted that Raja was already wearing a raincoat when found.
CCTV footage from a Shillong hotel, captured the couple checking in on May 22, providing investigators with a timeline of their movements before they went missing near Osara Hills. The couple’s rented scooter was found abandoned, and items recovered near Raja’s body including a woman’s white shirt, a strip of Pentra 40 tablets, a smashed mobile phone screen, a smartwatch, and a machete suggest foul play. The machete, believed to be the murder weapon, has been sent for forensic examination.
Raja’s body, identified by a tattoo of his name on his right hand, was returned to Indore, where his family has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. A large poster outside their home reads: “The soul of Raja appeals to the central and state governments I didn’t die, I was killed. Let the CBI investigate.” Raja’s brother, Vipin, alleged that Raja was kidnapped and taken 25 km from his scooter, reinforcing the family’s call for a deeper investigation.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described the incident as “unprecedented” for the state, emphasizing that Meghalaya is typically a safe tourist destination. “We are working overtime to make sure we get to the facts,” Sangma told , assuring the family of a thorough investigation. The case has drawn attention from Madhya Pradesh officials, with Indore MP Shankar Lalwani and Rajya Sabha MP Sumer Singh Solanki meeting Meghalaya authorities to press for progress.
The search for Sonam continues, with multiple agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force, Special Operations Team, and local volunteers, combing the Wei Sawdong area. Heavy rainfall and low visibility have slowed efforts, but authorities remain committed to uncovering the truth behind this tragic case.