Police explain how a 'mangalsutra' in Sonam and Raja's suitcase became key evidence in cracking the sinister plot behind the 29-year-old's gruesome murder in Meghalaya.
What was supposed to be a romantic honeymoon getaway in the serene valleys of Meghalaya has turned into one of the most shocking murder mysteries of 2025 in India. The cold-blooded killing of 29-year-old businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, allegedly plotted by his own wife, Sonam, along with her lover and three contract killers, has sent shockwaves across the country and questioned the integrity and trust in the very institution of marriage. As the case unfolds with more shocking twists and turns, the police now reveal how they unravelled the deadly plot of Raja’s murder. Turns out it was a seemingly small detail; a mangalsutra and a ring left behind in a homestay.
According to Deputy Inspector General DNR Marak, the investigators stumbled upon a mangalsutra and toe ring belonging to Sonam Raghuvanshi in a suitcase that the couple left behind at a homestay in Sohra. It has been found that the couple had briefly checked in to the homestay but, failing to secure a room without prior booking, they left the bag behind while they went for a trekking trip to Nongriat. The officer told NDTV:
"In the room of the homestay, we found Sonam's mangalsutra and a ring in the suitcase, which gave us the first doubt. Why would a woman who recently got married leave her mangalsutra in a suitcase during their honeymoon?"
This seemingly minor clue proved crucial to the investigation, ultimately uncovering a chilling murder-for-hire plot that ended in the tragic death of the unsuspecting groom, who believed he was on a joyful honeymoon with his wife.
Raja and Sonam got married on May 11, 2025, in Indore, and arrived in Meghalaya on May 20, 2025, for their honeymoon. Only days into the trip, on May 23, 2025, the couple set out on a trek to the famous double-decker root bridge in Nongriat village in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Little did Raja know that the scenic charm of the hills would be his final journey, that he was stepping into a sinister conspiracy, allegedly orchestrated by the very person he trusted the most, his newlywed wife.
According to police, Sonam allegedly lured Raja to a remote spot near Weisawdong Falls under the pretext of clicking some scenic photographs. There, three contract killers, waiting at another homestay, ambushed him from behind, fatally attacking him with sharp weapons. Sonam also allegedly assisted in dumping his body into the gorge. DNR Marak told NDTV:
"She (Sonam) walked a bit forward, pretending to click photos. The contract killers then came from behind and killed Raja. The other accused have said Sonam also helped them in throwing the body into the gorge.”
After days of searching, the police discovered Raja’s partially decomposed body on June 2, 2025, in a 200-foot deep gorge. Sonam reportedly assisted them in disposing of the body.
The police have arrested the three hitmen, Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), and Anand Kurmi, along with Sonam’s alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha. The alleged mastermind behind the sinister murder was none other than Sonam herself. While Sonam initially vanished after the crime, she surrendered on June 9, 2025, in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.
As the probe continues, Sonam, Raj, and the three contract killers have been remanded to eight days of police custody.
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