In a shocking development in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, Sonam Raghuvanshi, a 25-year-old woman from Indore, was arrested on Monday alongside four accomplices, including her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, for orchestrating her husband’s killing during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. The Uttar Pradesh Police, led by Additional DGP Amitabh Yash, revealed that Sonam attempted to mislead authorities by portraying herself as a victim, claiming she was drugged and transported to Ghazipur.
According to police reports, Sonam and Raja, who married on May 11, vanished on May 23 while visiting Meghalaya’s scenic attractions. Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge on June 2, initially believed to be an accidental death. However, the investigation took a dramatic turn when a machete, suspected to be the murder weapon, was found, prompting a murder probe. Sonam resurfaced in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 8, where she surrendered at a dhaba, alleging she had been abducted and drugged.
Amitabh Yash described Sonam as a “poor planner” who lacked understanding of police procedures, believing she could evade suspicion by posing as a victim. “She informed her family about her whereabouts, knowing the police would eventually locate her,” Yash told . He added that her claims of being drugged did not hold up under scrutiny.
The investigation, led by Meghalaya Police with support from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh authorities, uncovered a chilling plot. Sonam allegedly conspired with Raj Kushwaha, who hired three men Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi to execute the murder. The motive, according to Meghalaya investigators, may be linked to an extramarital affair between Sonam and Kushwaha.
Raja’s family provided further insight into the case. His brother, Vipul Raghuvanshi, noted that Sonam had booked a one-way ticket to Meghalaya, suggesting premeditation. He also mentioned that Raj Kushwaha was employed by Sonam and frequently communicated with her, which the family initially viewed as business-related.
Sonam was taken into custody by Meghalaya Police on Monday and brought to Ghazipur Medical College for examination. The court granted a three-day transit remand to transfer her to Meghalaya for further investigation. The arrests of Kushwaha and the three hired men occurred in Indore and Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant breakthrough in the case that has gripped the nation.