Why Sonam Raghuvanshi Left Her Mangalsutra Before the Murder in Meghalaya
SHILLONG | June 12, 2025 — A seemingly innocuous piece of jewelry — a mangalsutra — abandoned in a suitcase at a remote homestay in Meghalaya, has turned into the vital clue that helped police unravel the chilling honeymoon murder case involving a newlywed couple from Indore.
The case, which has stunned the nation, revolves around 29-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi and his 25-year-old wife, Sonam, who were on their honeymoon when tragedy struck in the East Khasi Hills district.
From Romantic Getaway to Grisly Crime Scene
The couple, married on May 11 in Indore, arrived in Meghalaya on May 20 to begin their honeymoon. Their journey led them to the picturesque but rugged terrains of Sohra (Cherrapunji), famed for its waterfalls and treks.
On May 22, they attempted to check into a homestay in Sohra but were denied a room due to lack of prior booking. The couple decided to leave their suitcase behind at the homestay before embarking on a strenuous 3,000-step trek to Nongriat village — home to the iconic double-decker living root bridge.
This decision would later prove crucial in cracking the case.
Discovery of a Body and a Trail of Clues
On June 2, Raja Raghuvanshi’s body was discovered in a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls. His wife was missing, prompting a massive manhunt. Investigators soon recovered a suitcase from the Sohra homestay that contained Sonam’s mangalsutra — a traditional necklace worn by married Hindu women — and a ring.
“This was the turning point,” said Meghalaya DGP I Nongrang. “A married woman leaving behind such significant symbols of her marital status gave us a vital clue. It indicated she may not have intended to return with her husband.”
Suspicions Confirmed: Sonam Flees, Then Surrenders
After Raja’s body was found, police began tracking Sonam’s whereabouts. On June 9, she surrendered in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh — nearly 1,200 kilometers from the crime scene.
Alongside Sonam, police arrested her alleged 20-year-old lover Raj Kushwaha and three contract killers who were reportedly hired to eliminate Raja.
According to police, after spending the night at a Nongriat homestay on May 22, the couple returned to Sohra on the morning of May 23, collected their scooter, and rode to Weisawdong Falls. It was there, investigators say, that Raja was killed in the presence of Sonam.
Hindi-Speaking Strangers, Paid Killers, and a Cold Plot
A local tour guide provided a critical eyewitness account, stating he saw the couple accompanied by three Hindi-speaking men during their return trek from Nongriat to Sohra. This corroborated the theory of outside involvement.
“The arrested individuals have confessed to the crime,” confirmed a senior police officer. “The motive appears to be a premeditated plot, and with all evidence and confessions on record, denial is not an option.”
A Shillong court has since remanded Sonam, Raj Kushwaha, and the three killers to eight days in police custody for further interrogation.
Police Say Case Closed, But Motive Still Under Scrutiny
While the confessions and physical evidence — including the abandoned suitcase, mangalsutra, and eyewitness accounts — have solidified the case for law enforcement, the underlying motives remain a subject of public debate and police scrutiny.
Was this a crime of passion, betrayal, or manipulation? Investigators are now examining digital footprints, call records, and financial transactions between Sonam and Raj to understand the full depth of the conspiracy.