Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: Sonam and Raj Blame Each Other as Police Seek to Recreate Crime Scene
In a significant development in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, a district and sessions court has sent the key accused — Sonam Raghuvanshi, her partner Raj Kushwaha, and three alleged contract killers — to eight days of police custody. The move comes as investigators prepare to confront them with evidence and recreate the crime scene to solidify their case.
Background of the Case
- Victim: Raja Raghuvanshi, a resident of Indore.
- Marriage: Sonam and Raja were married on May 11 in Indore.
- Travel to Northeast: The couple traveled to Meghalaya via Guwahati on May 20 for their honeymoon.
- Disappearance: They were reported missing on May 23 after checking out from a homestay in Nongriat village, East Khasi Hills.
- Discovery: Raja’s body was found on June 2 in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls.
- Surrender: Sonam resurfaced in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 9 and surrendered to authorities.
Court Proceedings and Custody
- Date: June 11
- Order: Eight-day police custody granted by a district and sessions court in Meghalaya.
- Purpose: To allow police to confront the accused with collected evidence and recreate the crime scene for investigation clarity.
Key Accused
- Sonam Raghuvanshi: Wife of the victim, accused of luring Raja into the forest under the pretext of taking a picture.
- Raj Kushwaha: Sonam’s boyfriend and alleged co-conspirator.
- Three Contract Killers: Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi.
Investigative Findings
- Contradictory Statements:
- Sonam and Raj are reportedly blaming each other during interrogations.
- Police say both are denying planning the murder, leading to conflicting narratives.
- Account from Hired Killers:
- Vishal, one of the alleged killers, claimed he struck Raja on the head.
- The group then allegedly threw the body into a gorge.
- Sonam reportedly led Raja to the spot claiming she wanted to take a picture.
- Police say she helped dispose of the body before fleeing the scene.
- Post-Murder Movements:
- After the murder, the accused used a scooter to travel away from the crime scene.
- They allegedly split up afterward to avoid detection.
Next Steps in Investigation
- Crime Scene Recreation:
- The police plan to take all five accused to Sohra (Cherrapunji), near the scene of the crime.
- The purpose is to recreate the series of events leading to Raja’s murder.
- Evidence Confrontation:
- Investigators aim to directly confront the accused with gathered CCTV footage, call logs, and witness statements.
- Authorities hope to resolve contradictions in the suspects’ statements.
Legal Strategy and Implications
- Charges Likely to be Filed:
- Murder, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and obstruction of justice.
- Investigative Strengths:
- CCTV footage tracking the movements of the accused.
- Digital evidence, including phone records and chats between Sonam and Raj.
- Statements from the contract killers supporting the police’s theory.
- Challenges Ahead:
- Contradictory claims between Sonam and Raj.
- Verifying the complete timeline of events between May 20 and June 2.
Broader Context
- Use of Kamakhya Temple:
- Sonam reportedly told Raja that they should visit Kamakhya Temple before consummating their marriage.
- Police believe this was a ruse to lure him into the Northeast for the premeditated murder.
- Public and Media Attention:
- The shocking nature of the crime has drawn national media coverage.
- The idea of a newlywed being murdered on honeymoon adds to the case’s notoriety.
Summary
The Meghalaya honeymoon murder investigation continues to unfold as police dig deeper into the role each accused played in the crime. With both Sonam and Raj shifting blame and hired killers admitting to their parts, the coming days are crucial. The planned crime scene recreation and evidence confrontation could provide the clarity needed to bring justice to Raja Raghuvanshi’s family.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) remains committed to building an airtight case and filing a comprehensive chargesheet that withstands scrutiny in court.