Locals in Shillong had whispered that something was amiss that week.
A couple had been seen arguing near the hotel, visitors noticed unusual movements in the hills at night, and one staff member reported that the bride kept stepping out alone for mysterious phone calls. No one paid it much mind—until detectives uncovered a trail pointing to a chilling betrayal.
What should have marked the beginning of a joyous marriage instead spiraled into a nightmare of lies and calculated violence in the hills of Shillong, India.
On May 20, businessman Raja Raghuvanshi arrived in the picturesque city with his new bride, Sonam Raghuvanshi, excited to begin their honeymoon.
But only days later, Raja’s body was discovered in a secluded ravine—decomposed, without identification, his wedding ring missing, and no sign of the life he had just started.
Initial suspicion fell on Raj Kushwaha, allegedly involved in an affair with Sonam. But as investigators dug deeper, an even more sinister truth emerged: Sonam had orchestrated the entire plot.
Police say she manipulated Raj with fabricated promises of affection and recruited three additional men—Vishal Singh, Anand Kurmi, and Akash Rajput—offering them money to carry out the killing.
Authorities claim Sonam tracked her husband throughout the trip, directing the group to his location. Between May 23 and 24, the attackers cornered Raja and pushed him into the ravine, leaving him to die.
Raj, believing he would soon reunite with Sonam, returned to Indore—only to discover he had also been deceived. Investigators allege that Sonam was secretly involved with yet another man and had been plotting to eliminate Raj as well.
Conclusion
The case exposes a tangled web of manipulation, exploitation, and cold-blooded ambition. What began as a honeymoon ended in staged tragedy, with the woman at the center now facing accusations that paint her not as a grieving widow, but as the architect of a multi-layered betrayal. As the investigation continues, authorities warn that even more disturbing details may yet surface.