Meghalaya Honeymoon Horror: Indore Man Murdered, Wife Missing After Visit to Living Root Bridges
Shillong : A romantic honeymoon in the scenic hills of Meghalaya took a horrifying turn as police confirmed the murder of 29-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi from Indore. His wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, remains missing, sparking a massive manhunt in the rain-drenched East Khasi Hills district.
Tragic Discovery in the East Khasi Hills
The couple had reportedly checked out of a homestay in Nongriat village on May 23 after visiting Meghalaya’s iconic living root bridges. That was the last time they were seen together. Eight days later, Raja’s body was recovered at the base of a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls, a popular yet perilous trekking spot.
Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the grim discovery and identified the body using a distinctive tattoo on Raja’s arm. The retrieval operation was extremely challenging due to the region’s treacherous terrain and relentless rainfall, requiring the use of drones for reconnaissance.
Dao Knife Recovered: Confirmed as Homicide
In a chilling twist, police recovered a freshly purchased dao—a traditional Khasi knife—suspected to be the murder weapon. “The knife appears to have been bought specifically for the crime,” said SP Syiem, confirming the case has officially been registered as homicide.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by SP Herbert Kharkongor and comprising six senior officers has been constituted to probe the case.
Suspicious Clues at the Scene
Several items were recovered near the gorge, including:
- Broken mobile phone fragments
- A damaged smartwatch
- Medicine strips
- A woman’s white shirt
These belongings suggest that the couple might have been together when the crime occurred. Notably, Raja’s gold jewellery, phone, and wallet were missing—leading to growing speculation that robbery might have been a motive, though personal enmity has not been ruled out.
Police have not yet confirmed whether Raja was killed before or after being thrown into the gorge. The post-mortem report, which is still awaited, is expected to shed light on the timeline and manner of death.
Wife Missing, CBI Probe Demanded
As the search for Sonam Raghuvanshi continues, pressure mounts on authorities to expedite the investigation. Raja’s family, based in Indore, has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, citing concerns over the lack of CCTV footage in the remote area and the missing valuables.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has joined local search teams, but operations have been severely hampered by heavy rainfall, with Sohra (Cherrapunji) recording nearly 500 mm of rain in just three days—more than many cities see annually.
Repeat Concerns Over Tourist Safety in Meghalaya
This tragedy has once again cast a shadow over tourist safety in Meghalaya, a state known for its natural beauty but treacherous terrain. Earlier this year, Hungarian tourist Puskas Zsolt was found dead nearly two weeks after disappearing during a trek in the region.
Locals and tourism stakeholders are now urging the government to:
- Enhance tourist monitoring systems
- Install CCTV and emergency infrastructure in popular trekking routes
- Regulate homestay registrations and guest logs
While Meghalaya remains a magnet for nature lovers and adventure seekers, incidents like these call for a review of safety protocols, especially in isolated areas with poor connectivity and limited law enforcement access.