Raja Raghuvanshi murder case | In a development in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, the police have confirmed that Sonam Raghuvanshi, who allegedly conspired in the killing of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, was in constant telephonic contact with a man saved in her phone as Sanjay Verma — now revealed to be her lover and key conspirator Raj Kushwaha.
According to investigators, Sonam and Sanjay exchanged 239 calls over 39 days, both before and after her marriage to Raja. The police believe the alias “Sanjay Verma” was used deliberately to conceal Kushwaha’s real identity and avoid suspicion. Kushwaha’s phone is currently switched off.
Brother Claims No Knowledge of “Sanjay”; Family Cuts Ties with Sonam
As speculation grows around the newly surfaced identity, Sonam’s brother Govind Raghuvanshi said he had no knowledge of the man. “I don’t know anything about Sanjay Verma. I have also learned today that Sanjay’s name is also coming up in this,” Govind told reporters.
Govind further confirmed that the family has severed all relations with Sonam following her confession and arrest. “We are standing with Raja’s family and will do everything to ensure justice,” he added.
Raja and Sonam, both from Indore, were married on May 11. Just 12 days later, on May 23, they disappeared while on honeymoon in Meghalaya, after checking out of a homestay near Nongriat. Raja’s decomposed body was found in a gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls on June 2.
The case initially began as a search for a missing couple but soon exposed a cold-blooded murder orchestrated by Sonam. Police allege she hired three hitmen—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—at the behest of Raj Kushwaha, an accountant at her family’s furniture business.
The police said Sonam’s cousin, Jitendra Raghuvanshi, paid the first installment to the killers. She went into hiding after the murder and resurfaced in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 8, where she surrendered. All co-accused, including Raj, were arrested in coordinated operations across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
On June 11, Sonam confessed to the crime during interrogation.
