Sonam Raghuvanshi, who stands accused of plotting the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, is reported to have taken shelter in a rented apartment in Indore following the crime. The hideout, according to investigators, was stocked with groceries worth ₹5,000 — arranged by her alleged lover and key conspirator, Raj Kushwaha.
Authorities say the Indore flat, located in the Dewas Naka area, was secured just days after the killing, on May 30, by Vishal Singh Chauhan — one of the three alleged contract killers involved in the murder. Chauhan is believed to have been the first to strike Raja with a machete, according to police sources cited by national media.
Speaking to mediapersons, an investigative source confirmed that Kushwaha had placed an online order for groceries worth ₹5,000 to be delivered to the Indore apartment, intended to sustain Sonam while she remained in hiding. The police suspect this rented flat served as a temporary refuge for Sonam after she escaped from the scene of the crime in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills. Raja's body was later recovered from a gorge near a waterfall in the region on June 2.
Flat rented under fake identity; No CCTV footage
Shilom James, who runs a property management company in Indore, confirmed to the media that Chauhan approached him to lease the apartment. “He said he wanted to rent the place for ₹17,000 per month and submitted ₹34,000 as security deposit. I handed over the keys to him,” James said, adding that he wasn’t sure if Chauhan or any of his associates actually stayed there. The building, being newly constructed, lacked CCTV cameras, according to reports.
James further stated that he informed the police once he learned of Chauhan’s involvement in the case. The apartment remains locked, and the keys are still with the tenant.
Also Read: Raj, Raja’s killers planned to fake Sonam's death: Police
Raja’s family demands narco test for Sonam and Kushwaha
Raja Raghuvanshi’s elder brother, Sachin Raghuvanshi, has demanded a narco-analysis test for both Sonam and Raj Kushwaha. “We want the Meghalaya Police to conduct a narco test so that the full truth behind my brother's murder comes out,” he said. Sachin expressed concerns that Sonam and Kushwaha might be trying to manipulate the investigation by shifting blame onto each other. He also suspects the involvement of additional individuals in the conspiracy.
Moreover, Sachin alleged that Sonam’s family—especially her mother—was aware of her relationship with Kushwaha prior to her marriage. Calling for swift justice, he urged that the case be tried in a fast-track court and demanded “double life imprisonment” for those found guilty.
Also Read: Honeymoon horror: Sonam, 4 aides sent to 8-day police custody
Timeline of the murder plot and arrests
Sonam and Raja were married on May 11 and left for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20. Raja was reported missing on May 23, sparking a police investigation. Sonam resurfaced on June 9, turning herself in at Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh — nearly 1,200 km from the crime scene.
The murder has drawn national attention due to its calculated execution and rapid series of developments. As per earlier reports, five people have been arrested so far — including Sonam, Raj Kushwaha, and the three men suspected to have carried out the killing. Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Syiem stated that the murder conspiracy was orchestrated in Indore before the wedding. “The mastermind is Raj Kushwaha, and the woman had agreed to the plot,” he said.
According to Meghalaya Police, the hitmen were allegedly paid ₹50,000 by Kushwaha. Investigators say the murder plan was formulated as early as February in Indore. However, SP Syiem clarified that the incident does not fully resemble a conventional contract killing. “The three young men were friends, and one is even a cousin of Raj. It wasn’t a typical contract killing. Yes, they planned the murder and carried it out as a favour to their friend Raj,” he noted.
Also Read: Sonam stayed secretly after Raja's murder, had lease agreement
Follow us
