Indore's Raja Raghuvanshi Murdered in Meghalaya; Wife Sonam and Four Others Arrested. Sonam's Lover, Raj Kushwaha, and Three Accomplices Conspired for Monetary Gain.
Raja Murder Case: The murder of Indore's Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya has sent shockwaves across the nation. Police have apprehended his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, and four young men in connection with the crime. Reports suggest Sonam conspired with her lover, Raj Kushwaha, to orchestrate the murder. Three other men were allegedly lured into the heinous plot with the promise of money. The story unfolds like a film, but it is tragically real.
A Honeymoon Turned Murder Mystery
Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam were married on May 11, 2025, in Indore. Following their wedding, which had the blessing of both families, the newlywed couple departed for Shillong, Meghalaya, on May 20th for their honeymoon. However, what should have been a joyous occasion turned into a tragedy. On May 23rd, Raja and Sonam went missing near Sohra, Shillong. Their scooter was found abandoned, and on June 2nd, Raja's body was discovered in a deep ravine. The post-mortem revealed he had been murdered with a sharp weapon.
Initially, Sonam was also missing, and her family demanded a CBI investigation. However, a significant turn in the case occurred on June 9th when Sonam surrendered to the police at a roadside restaurant in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Meghalaya Police took Sonam into custody and also arrested four other young men. Police claim the murder was a joint operation between Sonam, her lover, and three contract killers.
Sonam Raghuvanshi: The Mastermind of the Conspiracy
According to police, Sonam was the primary conspirator in the murder. She allegedly took her husband to Meghalaya under the guise of a honeymoon and then had him murdered in a pre-planned manner. Meghalaya's DGP, I. Nongrang, stated that Sonam executed the plan in conjunction with her lover, Raj Kushwaha. The police claim that Sonam and Raj plotted Raja's murder even before their marriage.
Sonam allegedly hired three contract killers for ₹14 lakh (approximately $170,000 USD) and prepared them for the murder. A shocking revelation is that Sonam observed a religious fast (Gyáras ka Vrat) on the day of the murder. Police say that when the contract killers, exhausted from climbing the hill, hesitated, Sonam yelled at them, "You have to kill him; I'll give you ₹20 lakh (approximately $240,000 USD)." After hearing this, the killers attacked Raja with a sharp weapon, resulting in his death.
Raj Kushwaha: Sonam's Lover and the Second Key Figure in the Conspiracy
Raj Kushwaha is another significant figure in this case. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, he moved to Indore a few years ago. He initially resided in a rented house in Govind Nagar but later started working at Sonam's father's plywood factory. This is where he met Sonam, and their affair began.
Police say Sonam and Raj's relationship lasted less than a year. Raj is about five years younger than Sonam. Sonam wanted to marry Raj, but her family arranged her marriage to Raja Raghuvanshi. Subsequently, Sonam and Raj conspired to eliminate Raja. Raj involved three of his friends in the plan and took responsibility for the murder.
Vishal Chauhan: Rapido Driver Turned Contract Killer
Vishal Chauhan was an old friend of Raj Kushwaha and lived in the same neighborhood. He worked as a Rapido bike driver to support his family. Vishal comes from a poor family, and police believe Sonam exploited this. She allegedly offered him ₹10 lakh (approximately $120,000 USD) to kill Raja.
According to police, Vishal participated in the conspiracy for money. He was with Raja and Sonam in Shillong and was present at the time of the murder. Vishal was arrested in Madhya Pradesh and is currently in police custody.
Aakash Rajput: Unemployed Youth Who Committed Murder for Money
Aakash Rajput is the third accused, residing in the outskirts of Indore. He was unemployed and a friend of Raj Kushwaha. Aakash also comes from a poor family, and Sonam lured him into the conspiracy with the promise of money.
Police say Aakash was promised ₹10 lakh (approximately $120,000 USD) for the murder. He was present at the murder scene in Shillong and participated in the attack on Raja. Aakash was also arrested in Madhya Pradesh.
Anand: The Fourth Contract Killer
The fourth accused, Anand, was also a contract killer. Limited information is currently available about him, but police say he knew Raj Kushwaha. Sonam allegedly involved him in the murder by offering him money. Anand was apprehended in Madhya Pradesh and is in police custody.
Unraveling the Conspiracy
Meghalaya Police discovered several clues that helped solve the murder mystery. First, a local tourist guide, Albert PD, reported seeing three unfamiliar men with Raja and Sonam on May 23rd. This testimony deepened police suspicion. Subsequently, Sonam's call records and CCTV footage provided crucial information.
After the murder, Sonam left Shillong, traveling to Guwahati and then Ghazipur. On the night of June 8th, she contacted her family, leading police to apprehend her at a roadside restaurant in Ghazipur. Meghalaya Police have taken Sonam on a 72-hour transit remand, and interrogations of all four accused are underway.
The Chilling Revelations of the Post-Mortem Report
The post-mortem report revealed the brutal nature of Raja's murder. The killers used a sharp, tree-cutting weapon to inflict multiple wounds. Deep wounds on his head and back caused his death. Police have also recovered the weapon used in the murder.
