In a chilling development to the case of a missing couple from Indore, Raja Raghuvanshi’s body was found in a gorge near Sohra, Meghalaya, just days after he went missing during a honeymoon trip. His wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi and three others have been arrested for allegedly plotting his murder, while police continue searching for a fifth suspect.
According to reports, Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) I Nongrang confirmed that Sonam, 24, surrendered in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur, and three other accused were nabbed in overnight raids, one in Uttar Pradesh and two in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
What Happened on May 23?
A key witness, Albert Pde, a tourist guide from Mawlakhiat, said that he saw the couple with three other men on the morning of May 23. They were climbing over 3,000 steps from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat. The guide said, “The three men were speaking in Hindi, suggesting they weren’t locals.”
Albert had also interacted with the couple the previous day, offering to help them trek down to the living root bridge in Nongriat. However, they declined and chose a different guide. This timeline aligned with the couple’s last known location before they went missing.
Police later confirmed that Sonam allegedly hired the men to kill her husband. “The operation is still continuing in Madhya Pradesh to catch some more persons involved in the crime,” DGP Nongrang added.
Sonam’s Arrest and CM’s Reaction
Sonam was found near Kashi Dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur road. Uttar Pradesh’s ADG (Law & Order), Amitabh Yash, said she was first taken to Sadar Hospital and then moved to a One Stop Centre for women in Ghazipur.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma praised the swift action by the police. Posting online, he wrote, “Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #MeghalayaPolice in the Raja murder case … 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant ..well done.”
Sonam and Raja had checked into a homestay in Nongriat village on May 22 and went missing the next day. Raja’s body was found soon after in a nearby gorge, confirming foul play.
