The “Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder” refers to the alleged pre-meditated killing of Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based businessman, during his honeymoon trip to Meghalaya. His wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, and her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, are the primary accused in the case.
Here’s a breakdown of their alleged roles based on recent police investigations:
Sonam Raghuvanshi’s Alleged Role:
- Mastermind and Orchestrator: Latest investigations increasingly suggest Sonam may have been the actual mastermind behind the entire murder plot. Contrary to earlier suspicions that Raj was the main conspirator, police now believe Sonam manipulated him and others.
- Planning and Luring: She allegedly planned the conspiracy, luring Raj Kushwaha with promises of love and possibly enticing other co-accused with financial gains.
- Coercion and Location Selection: She allegedly coerced her husband, Raja, to visit isolated spots in Meghalaya, like the deep jungles of Nongriat and near Weisawdong Falls, believing these remote locations would be ideal for the hired killers to commit the crime.
- Presence at the Crime Scene: Police claim Sonam was present when Raja was killed. She allegedly took her husband to the spot, telling him she wanted to take a picture, and then assisted in disposing of the body into a gorge.
- Post-Murder Actions: After the murder, she allegedly transferred money (₹15,000 initially, with police investigating claims of ₹20 lakh promised) to one of the co-accused. She destroyed mobile phones and SIM cards to erase digital footprints and used a pre-arranged hideout flat in Indore to evade capture while police searched for her across states.
- Blame Game: During questioning, both Sonam and Raj have reportedly tried to shift blame onto each other. Sonam initially claimed Raja died protecting her from jewellery snatchers and that she lost consciousness, only to surrender later in Uttar Pradesh.
- Motive: Police are investigating if Sonam intended to elope with someone else, suggesting Raj might have been a pawn in a larger plan. Her family’s initial arranged marriage proposal, which she reportedly feared rejecting due to her father’s health, is also being considered as a factor.
- Confession: Sonam has reportedly confessed to her role in her husband’s murder to the Meghalaya police.
Raj Kushwaha’s Alleged Role:
- Lover and Co-conspirator: Raj Kushwaha is Sonam’s alleged lover and a key co-conspirator in the murder. He worked as an accountant at Sonam’s family’s lamination sheet unit.
- Coordination with Killers: Police allege that Raj coordinated with the three contract killers (Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi) who directly carried out Raja’s murder.
- Facilitating Escape: Raj is believed to have arranged a cab for Sonam to flee to Uttar Pradesh after the murder and assisted in purchasing mobile phones under a false identity for Sonam.
- Manipulated or Willing Participant: While earlier suspected as the mastermind, current investigations suggest he might have been manipulated by Sonam, driven by his love for her. However, he is still very much an alleged participant in the crime.
- Blame Game: Raj has also reportedly given conflicting accounts during interrogation, claiming he pulled out of the trip last minute and tried to stop the others, and that Sonam insisted on the murder, even offering more money if the hired killers backed out.
Both Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raj Kushwaha, along with the three alleged contract killers, have been sent to eight-day police custody by a Shillong court as of June 12, 2025, for further investigation and crime scene recreation. The Meghalaya police have named their investigation “Operation Honeymoon.”