The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya has taken a more sinister turn, with new revelations emerging as the police investigation intensifies. With all five accused now in custody — including Raja’s wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi — Meghalaya Police are actively interrogating the suspects to unravel the full scope of what appears to be a premeditated conspiracy.
A key development in the case involves Jitendra Raghuvanshi, a relative of Sonam, whose bank account was allegedly used to facilitate payments to the contract killers. According to police sources, the first payment to the assassins was transferred from Jitendra’s account on May 23 — the same day Raja was killed on a secluded hilly road in Sohra.
Sonam’s grandfather, Govind Raghuvanshi, confirmed that Jitendra is a cousin and linked to the family’s business operations. However, he claimed the account was intended for routine business transactions. “Sonam opened the account in Jitendra’s name and used it. We were unaware of any illegal dealings such as hawala,” Govind reportedly told the police.
Investigators, however, remain sceptical. One official remarked that the use of Jitendra’s account has raised serious suspicions. Authorities are considering summoning him for questioning, and if evidence suggests he was aware of how the account was being used, he may be charged as the sixth accused in the case.
The murder weapon, identified as a machete, was recovered near Raja’s body. Police suspect it may have been purchased by the couple in Guwahati before they arrived in Meghalaya. However, investigators are still examining whether the weapon was meant for a staged photoshoot or was procured with intent to kill.
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Adding to the mystery, a trolley bag was discovered in a Sohra homestay previously occupied by the couple. Inside were Sonam’s mangalsutra and wedding ring. “A married woman discarding such sacred symbols is extremely unusual,” remarked Meghalaya Director General of Police L R Bishnoi, suggesting that Sonam may have already decided to sever ties with her husband before the murder occurred.
According to police accounts, the couple reached Sohra on May 22. Due to the unavailability of a pre-booked room, they left their luggage at a homestay and proceeded to visit Nangriyat village. They returned the following day and went to the Weisdong waterfall, where Raja’s body was discovered on June 2.
Sonam vanished after the murder and was traced and arrested on June 8 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. She was subsequently brought to Shillong for interrogation. In addition to Sonam, four other accused — Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), Raj Singh Kushwaha (21), and Anand Kurmi (23) — were arrested from Madhya Pradesh.
Investigators believe that Sonam had a prior relationship with Raj, one of the accused, and that their continued contact after her marriage may have influenced the motive for the murder. Sonam was produced before the court on Wednesday, where police sought a 10-day custody for interrogation. The court, however, granted an eight-day remand. So far, police have been focused on processing paperwork and logistical arrangements, with full-scale interrogation of the accused expected to begin Thursday, according to one investigator.
Meanwhile, Sonam’s family has publicly disowned her. Her brother Govind, speaking to reporters, said, “I spoke to her for two minutes in Ghazipur. I could see it in her eyes — she had done it. We have severed all ties.” As the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to piece together the sequence of events, the focus remains on reconstructing the crime scene, verifying every claim, and pursuing justice in what has rapidly become one of the most chilling and high-profile murder cases in recent memory.
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