Police have traced Sonam Raghuvanshi’s movements across multiple states after the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills on May 23. What began as a honeymoon trip turned into a criminal investigation that now spans across Shillong, Guwahati, Indore, and Ghazipur.
According to Indore police, after Raja’s murder, Sonam drove to Guwahati and then took a train to Indore on May 27. A day later, she traveled to Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh—hometown of Raj Kushwaha, her alleged lover and an employee at her family’s plywood factory. Kushwaha, meanwhile, stayed in Indore to avoid suspicion.
Authorities now believe Sonam and Raj conspired to murder Raja. The plot allegedly started just days after the wedding, which took place on May 11. The conspiracy was reportedly hatched on May 16 during a phone call between Sonam and Raj. That same day, Raj met with three associates—his cousin Vishal Chauhan and friends Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi—in an Indore restaurant to discuss the murder plan.
The killers reportedly received ₹50,000 and a mobile phone from Raj before leaving for Meghalaya, while he remained in Indore. Sonam and Raja checked into a guest house in Shillong on May 22, unaware they were being followed. The three hired killers stayed just one kilometer away and later checked into a homestay in Sopra, where the crime took place.
Initially, the case was believed to be a missing persons’ report of a honeymooning couple. The Madhya Pradesh chief minister had even contacted Meghalaya’s CM for help. The breakthrough came when a guide reported seeing three men with the couple on May 23, leading to the arrests of the killers and Raj Kushwaha on June 9.
Sonam, found at a dhaba in Ghazipur shortly after, is believed to have surfaced once she learned about Raj’s arrest. Indore police claim she had been hiding there since May 28 and was in regular contact with Raj and the others.
Authorities in Indore, working with CCTV footage and intel from Meghalaya police, have identified a Dewas Naka flat where Sonam stayed with Raj on her return. The flat is now being sealed as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Raj’s family denies any romantic involvement with Sonam. His sister claimed he was supportive of her marriage. On the other hand, Raja’s family suspects a broader conspiracy. His brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, questioned why Raj wasn’t dismissed from the family business despite the alleged affair and demanded the arrest of everyone who helped Sonam evade capture.
Police continue to piece together the timeline as new details emerge.
