In a chilling development in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused of orchestrating the killing of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, and her alleged accomplice, Raj Kushwaha, have been attempting to deflect responsibility during police interrogations, according to investigators. The 24-year-old Sonam and 21-year-old Kushwaha, both from Indore, are accused of plotting Raja’s murder during the couple’s honeymoon in Meghalaya last month.
On Wednesday, a Meghalaya district and sessions court remanded Sonam and four other suspects to eight days of police custody to allow authorities to confront them with evidence and reconstruct the crime scene. A senior officer revealed to that the accused have provided conflicting accounts, with Sonam and Kushwaha each denying their role in the murder and blaming the other. Investigators disclosed that one of the alleged hired killers, Vishal, confessed to striking Raja on the head before the group disposed of his body in a gorge. The officer added that Sonam allegedly lured her husband to the isolated spot under the pretense of taking a photograph, assisting the assailants in discarding the body afterward.
The police recovered critical evidence, including the murder weapon, blood-stained clothing, CCTV footage of the couple, and witness testimonies, notably from a guide who saw the accused together near the crime scene. Authorities are also examining Sonam’s possession of valuable items, such as her mangalsutra and a toe ring, recovered from the hotel where the couple left their belongings. “We knew something was amiss just days after the murder,” a police officer told, noting that the investigation is ongoing to verify details of financial transactions and the planning of the crime.
Raja’s family has been vocal about their grief and disbelief. His mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, expressed anguish, stating that those responsible, including Sonam if guilty, should face severe punishment. Meanwhile, Sonam’s brother, Govind, visited Raja’s family in Indore, apologizing and acknowledging the evidence pointing to his sister’s involvement.
The case, dubbed “Operation Honeymoon” by the Meghalaya Police, has drawn significant attention due to its complex web of deception and betrayal. Authorities continue to piece together the events leading to Raja’s death in the scenic but now infamous Sohra region, as they work to establish the full extent of the conspiracy.