Affair With Raj, But Married To Raja: Sonam Raghuvanshi Allegedly Plotted Husband’s Murder With Lover

The investigation into the murder of an Indore man during his honeymoon in Meghalaya has taken a chilling turn, with police confirming that his wife plotted the killing with the help of hired contract killers, officials said on Monday.

The woman, identified as 24-year-old Sonam, surrendered at a police station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, days after her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found dead in a gorge, according to Meghalaya Police.

India Today reported that Sonam was allegedly in a relationship with another man, Raj Kushwaha, and conspired to kill her husband. She reportedly hired contract killers from Madhya Pradesh to carry out the murder during what was supposed to be their honeymoon in the scenic Sohra region of Meghalaya.

Was Sonam in contact with Raj in Meghalaya?

As per a report by Live Hindustan, Sonam was in touch with a few people after reaching Meghalaya and was constantly sharing her live location with them. The couple were married on May 11 and started their honeymoon journey for Meghalaya on May 21. Raja's body was found on June 2. The couple then went missing on May 23. A local tourist guide told police that the newlyweds were last seen in the company of three other men.

As per Meghalaya Police, the assailants are contract killers hailing from Madhya Pradesh. The cops also suspect that Sonam might have been present with the killers at the time of Raja's murder, since her jacket was found at the crime scene.

Father junks reports of Sonam's affair

Speaking to media, Sonam's father, Devi Singh, categorically denied her affair with anyone. While he acknowledged that a person name Raj does work with him, but he's not connected to Sonam in any way. Singh also trashed the reports of Sonam being forced into a marriage with Raja. He said, the couple had consented for the wedding.

Devi Singh, also dismissed the allegations against his daughter and instead accused Meghalaya Police of fabricating the case. He also said he intended to seek a CBI inquiry by appealing to both the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Union Home Minister.

"My daughter is innocent. They got married with the consent of both families. The state (Meghalaya) government has been lying from the beginning. We were thinking of meeting Madhya Pradesh CM and then Union HM Amit Shah to request a CBI inquiry. Meghalaya Police is making up stories. Let the CBI inquiry begin, all officers at the police station (in Meghalaya) will be behind bars," Devi Singh told reporters.

How probe unfolded

A major lead emerged when Sonam, who had been missing, contacted her family from Ghazipur. Her relatives then informed the Indore Police, who coordinated with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh to locate and apprehend her.

She was taken into custody within hours. A police team from Indore is currently en route to bring her back.

"Sonam Raghuvanshi has voluntarily surrendered at the Nandganj Police Station in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh, and is currently in the safe custody of the Uttar Pradesh Police. Necessary legal protocols are being followed for her transit," Meghalaya Police said in an official statement.

Meghalaya Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang confirmed that Sonam was allegedly involved in plotting her husband's murder and had engaged contract killers to execute the plan. Three of the suspected attackers from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested so far, while a fourth remains at large.

A local tourist guide had previously told police that the couple was last seen with three unidentified men on the day they vanished - a detail that proved crucial in steering the investigation towards foul play.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the rapid progress in the case on social media.

"Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved by the Meghalaya Police in the Raja murder case. Three assailants from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, the female has surrendered, and the operation is still on to catch one more assailant. Well done Meghalaya Police," Sangma posted.