Arranged marriage, honeymoon in the clouds, a tragic disappearance, and a gruesome murder—this wedding saga couldn’t be more harrowing. Here’s the spine-chilling timeline shaping every headline:
- May 11, 2025 – Indore Wedding Bliss
Sonam Raghuvanshi (24) and Raja Raghuvanshi (29) tie the knot in an arranged marriage blessed by both families - May 20 – The One-Way Honeymoon Begins
They depart for Meghalaya—remarkably, Sonam books only one-way tickets and makes all travel plans, including trekking routes - May 21–22 – The Northeast Episode
The couple reaches Guwahati and Shillong. CCTV footage places three mysterious men tagging along with them - May 23 – The Last Known Footage
Their phones ping from Sohra (Cherrapunji). Sonam makes a normal-sounding call to Raja’s mom: “We’re climbing, will call later” - May 23 – Where Did They Go?
They vanish. Their scooter is found abandoned; no photos from the trip, raising alarm bells - June 2 – Tragic Discovery
Raja’s decomposed body is found in a gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls—throat slit, machete and his gold worth ₹10 lakh missing - June 3 – Cops Zero In
Meghalaya Police start suspecting Sonam, equipped with CCTV, phone and witness intel. They learn she orchestrated the crime just a day after the body was found - June 8–9 – Sonam Resurfaces & Surrenders
In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, Sonam appears at a dhaba, distressed and feverish. She surrenders to cops the same night - June 9–10 – Arrests Follow Fast
Three alleged hitmen—Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), Raj Singh Kushwaha (21)—are arrested in UP and MP. Sonam, Raj Kushwaha (her alleged lover and mastermind), and the trio are now in custody; one more accused is still at large
The Players in This Dark Drama
| Name | Role | Allegations |
|---|---|---|
| Sonam Raghuvanshi | New bride | Allegedly hired contract killers, offered ₹4 lakh (later ₹20 lakh) to murder Raja, helped dispose of his body |
| Raj Singh Kushwaha | Sonam’s alleged lover & ex-employee | Allegedly planned the murder behind the scenes; Sonam’s connection to him raised early suspicion |
| Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Raj Singh Kushwaha | Alleged hitmen | Hired for the murder; caught in raids across Indore and UP |
| Raja Raghuvanshi | Victim | Businessman forced to wear jewelry worth ₹10 lakh on the trip; his body was found with valuables missing |
The Motivation (Love, Loot—or Both?)
1. Affair Allegations
Police suggest Sonam was romantically involved with Raj Kushwaha—her ex-employee—a relationship that may have prompted the murder plot
2. Money & Jewelry
Raja wore ₹10 lakh in gold during the honeymoon—all of which disappeared with him. Could theft have been the real motive?
3. Plot or Panic?
Sonam reportedly offered ₹4 lakh initially, then raised it to ₹20 lakh when hitmen hesitated, suggesting premeditation—and panic
Inside “Operation Honeymoon”
- A dedicated 20-member SIT led a massive 120-officer operation
- Cops examined over 42 CCTV clips, seized blood-stained raincoat and machete, pieced together travel logs, mobile calls, and eyewitness accounts
- Sonam posted on Raja’s social media around 2:15 pm on May 23, lauding their love—yet it raised suspicion rather than comfort investigators
Common Questions — And Answers
- Why did Sonam book only one-way tickets?
Possibly to avoid scrutiny and control the narrative—return timing was never discussed with Raja’s family - Why was Sonam seen 10 km away from the crime?
She allegedly stayed back to observe and manage the killers. Perpetrators confessed she gave the order to kill and helped dispose of the body - Is the affair relationship confirmed?
Police suspect it based on phone records; family members of both sides hint at excessive contact. Raj was an ex-employee who remained close to Sonam . - What evidence ties Sonam to the crime?
- Offer to pay for the murder
- Direct orders and presence at the murder site
- CCTV footage of her with suspects
- The missing jewellery and machete found at the site
- Will she get bail or be transferred?
Sonam has been handed to Meghalaya authorities and will be produced in court soon. Meghalaya Police are likely to seek remand to continue the probe
Family Drama and Legal Fireworks
- Raja’s Family
They want the death penalty for Sonam if found guilty. Raja’s mother insisted: “If she loved him, why did she leave him to die?”
His brother Vipin says only Sonam can clarify—“Unless she confesses…” - Sonam’s Family
Father claims she was framed and possibly kidnapped. They demand a CBI investigation, alleging Meghalaya police involvement in foul play
What’s Next?
- Ongoing Investigation
Probing continues: Rajasthan, UP records, phone logs, forensics. Final autopsy and forensic reports (on machete, raincoat, phone logs) are pending. - Legal Implications
Sonam and accomplices may face charges including murder, conspiracy, disposal of a body, and theft. Sonam’s bail or remand hearings will be critical. - Public & Media Frenzy
The case is trending as a bizarre mix of honeymoon glam, alleged love triangle, high drama, and cruel betrayal—sparking intense discussion on social media, ethics of arranged marriage, and police accountability.
What began as a picturesque arranged-then-honeymoon trip in Meghalaya quickly unraveled into a mastermind murder plot.
Explosively, evidence points not just to a cruel crime of passion, but also to cold-blooded premeditation involving financial incentives, heated romance, and complete disregard for moral boundaries.
As the bodies are laid to rest and justice is sought, here’s hoping the full truth emerges through rigorous investigation—and that both families find closure, justice, or at least some semblance of it.
Until then, this honeymoon horror story remains one of the most chilling cautionary tales of modern India—a grim reminder that even the most romantic beginnings can hide the darkest of secrets.
