Thirty days since her arrest in the brutal ‘honeymoon murder’ of her husband, Sonam Raghuvanshi remains silent, stoic and unrepentant inside the women’s barrack of Shillong jail. With no visits from family and not a single attempt at contact, she has instead immersed herself in the rigours of prison routine.
Sources within the prison have reported India that Sonam, accused of orchestrating her husband Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder during their post-wedding trip to Meghalaya, has adapted well to the jail environment. She reportedly follows a strict daily schedule and keeps mostly to herself.
“She doesn’t speak about the crime or her personal life,” said a senior jail official, requesting anonymity. “She is quiet, disciplined and cooperative, but never remorseful.”
Sonam shares a cell with two other undertrial prisoners and resides near the jail warden’s office. No special duties have been assigned to her thus far, but officials said she would soon be trained in sewing and other skills as part of a rehabilitation programme. Prisoners are allowed access to television and other basic amenities, which she is availing of regularly.
Despite prison regulations allowing inmates to receive visits or calls from family, none of Sonam’s relatives have reached out. “She is entitled to meetings and calls, but there has been no contact from anyone in her family,” said a source.
There are currently 496 prisoners lodged in Shillong jail, including 20 women. Sonam is the second among the female inmates to face murder charges. Her activities are being closely monitored via CCTV cameras, given the high-profile nature of the case.
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The crime that shocked the nation
Sonam married Raja Raghuvanshi on 11 May. Just nine days later, the couple left for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on a one-way ticket. They travelled across the region for three days before vanishing without trace.
What began as a missing persons case soon escalated into a homicide investigation after Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge on 2 June. Investigators later learnt he had been lured to his death.
On 7 June, Sonam was found unconscious at a roadside eatery in Ghazipur and taken to the district medical college for treatment. There, she confessed and surrendered to police. Her alleged lover, Raj, and two other co-conspirators were arrested subsequently.
The revelations sent shockwaves across both families. Sonam’s brother later announced that their family had severed all ties with her. “We have nothing to do with her anymore,” he said. “We are standing with Raja’s family and will do everything possible to support their fight for justice.”
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