Meghalaya honeymoon murder: In a case that has stunned the nation, Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder during his honeymoon in Meghalaya has taken a chilling turn as his cousin, Arpit, has revealed that Raja and Sonam’s families were strangers until they met through a matrimonial app. The couple had tied the knot on May 11, only for Raja to be killed just days later in a plot allegedly masterminded by his wife, Sonam, who was in love with another man.
Arpit, in an interview to NDTV, explained that the two families — both residents of Indore — met a few times after connecting via an app used by Raghuvanshi families to seek marital alliances. “The two families did not know each other before Raja and Sonam’s marriage… they finalised the wedding on February 10 at Sonam’s house,” Arpit said.
Red Flags Before Marriage and a Honeymoon That Ended in Tragedy
According to Arpit, Raja had repeatedly mentioned that Sonam was distant over the phone, often saying she was preoccupied with business matters and unavailable to talk. “My cousin wanted to discuss the marriage preparations but she wasn’t available,” Arpit reportedly said.
Despite the signs, Raja never felt Sonam was unhappy with the match. It was only after the couple disappeared during their honeymoon that suspicions emerged. “At first, we thought they were missing… but as the information started trickling in, we were shocked. First, we found our cousin’s body, then we learnt that Sonam was the mastermind,” said Arpit.
The body of 29-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi was found in a gorge near Nongriat village in Meghalaya on June 2. The couple had last been seen on May 23 after checking out of a homestay. Police allege that Sonam hired three men and plotted the murder with her lover, Raj Kushwaha, an employee in her family’s business.
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Sources indicate Sonam offered ₹20 lakh to the accused to carry out the crime, although official confirmation is awaited. After days of being untraceable, Sonam surfaced in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and surrendered at Nandganj police station.
Family Heartbreak and Social Boycott
Arpit described Raja as the “most pampered and loved” among his three brothers, adding, “He was very innocent, full of life and was never bothered by the outside world.”
Even more heartbreaking, Raja’s family prayed for Sonam’s safe return, unaware that she was allegedly behind his death. “We all prayed that Sonam would return home safely and quickly. But when the details started to pour in, we couldn’t help but wonder whom did we pray for?” Arpit said.
In a dramatic twist, Sonam’s own family has disowned her, with her brother Govind declaring, “The matter is not about relationships but truth and he stands for the truth.” Govind, who has expressed full support for Raja’s family, has also demanded the death penalty for his sister if found guilty.
The brutal murder, born out of deception, betrayal, and a secret relationship, has left both families devastated and shocked the nation.
