Sonam-Raja Honeymoon Murder: Accused Attempt to Shift Blame as Police Probe Deepens

Shillong, June 12 : In a chilling development in the alleged honeymoon murder case in Meghalaya, investigators revealed that prime accused Sonam Raghuvanshi and her partner Raj Kushwaha are attempting to shift blame onto each other during police questioning. The two are accused of conspiring and executing the murder of Sonam's husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in May.

On Wednesday, a district and sessions court in Meghalaya remanded Sonam, Kushwaha, and three others to eight days in police custody, following a police request to recreate the crime scene and confront the accused with evidence.

Senior officers involved in the investigation told The Indian Express that both Sonam and Raj are denying having planned the murder, instead accusing each other of masterminding the crime. The police suspect that Raja was lured to a remote cliffside in Sohra (Cherrapunji) under the pretext of taking a photo, where he was allegedly hit on the head by a hired killer named Vishal. His body was then thrown down a gorge with the help of Sonam, according to initial statements by the co-accused.

Police say Sonam and the others travelled on a scooter after the murder and dispersed soon after. The accused will now be taken to Sohra in the coming days to assist investigators in reconstructing the sequence of events.

SIT Chief Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor said that investigators are still probing critical aspects of the case, including money transactions, planning of the murder, and Sonam's role in the disposal of valuable items. "We recovered her mangalsutra and a toe ring from the hotel where the couple had left their luggage. That was our first clue that something was wrong," said an officer.

Key evidence in the case includes the recovered murder weapon, blood-stained clothing, CCTV footage of the couple, and witness testimonies, including that of a local guide who allegedly saw all the accused together.

Another police officer noted that the group chose a secluded and rarely used path to reach the crime spot—an area known for territorial disputes between two local clans—raising questions about how thoroughly the site had been surveyed beforehand.

Raja and Sonam were initially reported missing last month while honeymooning in Meghalaya. Earlier this month, Raja’s body was discovered, and suspicion quickly fell on Sonam and her alleged accomplices. On Sunday night, police arrested Raj Kushwaha, who is believed to have orchestrated the murder, prompting Sonam to surrender at a police station in Uttar Pradesh.

As the investigation intensifies, the Meghalaya police remain focused on uncovering the full scope of the conspiracy and securing justice for the victim.