Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: Accused Wife Sonam Raghuwanshi Arrested in Dramatic Late-Night Swoop in Ghazipur
Shocking Turn in Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case: Wife Arrested in UP’s Ghazipur
Ghazipur/Shillong | June 09, 2025 — In a dramatic midnight operation, Sonam Raghuwanshi, the prime suspect in the sensational Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, was arrested from a roadside dhaba in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur. Her husband, Raja Raghuwanshi, was found dead in a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls in Meghalaya on June 2, setting off a nationwide manhunt that now spans three states.
Arrest at 1 AM: A Tearful Fugitive and a Phone Call
The arrest occurred around 1 a.m. on Sunday when Sonam, reportedly alone and crying, approached a dhaba in Ghazipur and requested to make a phone call. Sahil Yadav, the owner of the eatery, that she borrowed his mobile and dialed a number before he alerted the police.
“She was crying and said she needed to call home. I gave her the phone. After she called, I informed the police and they came to take her away,” Yadav said, confirming that the number she dialed is still saved on his phone.
Sources indicate that Sonam may have called her brother-in-law, Govind Raghuwanshi—potentially leading investigators directly to her.
Case Timeline: From Holiday to Homicide
The couple had embarked on a trip to Meghalaya, a popular tourist destination, on May 23. When they went missing, suspicions grew. Then, in early June, Raja’s body was discovered near the scenic Weisawdong Falls under suspicious circumstances.
Key developments include:
- June 2: Raja’s body recovered from a gorge; missing jewelry raised suspicion.
- June 3: A blood-stained machete found near the body.
- June 4: A raincoat, believed to belong to Sonam, discovered in nearby Mawkma village.
- Scooter Abandoned: Their rented scooter was found in Sohrarim with the ignition key still inserted.
These details, paired with CCTV footage, suggest premeditation and an attempt to mislead investigators.
Multi-State Investigation: Three More Arrests in Madhya Pradesh
Meghalaya Director General of Police I Nongrang confirmed Sonam’s arrest in Ghazipur. He also revealed that three additional suspects were apprehended in Madhya Pradesh, indicating a larger conspiracy behind Raja’s death.
Investigators now aim to reconstruct the timeline, from the murder’s alleged planning in Meghalaya to Sonam’s escape journey spanning thousands of kilometers.
Family Split: Calls for CBI Probe vs. Demand for Justice
The case has divided the families. Sonam’s father vehemently denies her involvement, accusing the police of framing her and demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.
“Why would my daughter kill her husband? The police are lying. I request Amit Shah ji to order a CBI probe,” he told reporters, confirming that Sonam had called the family but that he hasn’t spoken to her since her arrest.
On the other side, Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuwanshi, claimed that Sonam had not surrendered but was tracked through her phone call.
“She called us, and we informed the police. Only she knows how she traveled from Meghalaya to UP,” he told CNN-News18.
What’s Next: Investigators Piece Together the Plot
With the primary accused and three alleged accomplices now in custody, investigators are racing to complete the puzzle:
- Was this a premeditated crime?
- How did Sonam travel unnoticed across state lines?
- What role did the other three suspects play?
Authorities are also expected to interrogate Sonam for the exact sequence of events and her motive, as well as to examine her digital footprints and mobile call logs.