Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a chilling twist to the alleged murder of Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, police revealed that his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, paid ₹20 lakh to contract killers to eliminate him. The murder, reportedly orchestrated just days after their wedding, has stunned authorities and the public alike.
According to the Meghalaya Police, Sonam handed over ₹15,000 in cash to the assailants on the day of the crime—money taken directly from her husband’s wallet. This initial payment was made during the act, while the larger amount of ₹20 lakh was promised as part of the murder deal.
Sonam, who had gone missing with her husband during their honeymoon, was arrested on Tuesday after surrendering in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. She was flown to Shillong the same night via Patna, Kolkata, and Guwahati. Her surrender came just a day after her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, and three suspected contract killers were arrested in connection with the case.
Police sources indicate that the murder occurred on May 23, the same day the couple was reported missing. Raja’s body was later discovered in a gorge near a waterfall in Sohra, East Khasi Hills, on June 2. The couple had married on May 11 and arrived in Meghalaya on May 21.
Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Syiem confirmed that the FIR clearly mentions Raja was attacked with a machete and robbed of his valuables. “Sonam’s role in both paying the killers and promising further payment is being closely investigated. It strongly suggests a deep-rooted conspiracy,” Syiem stated.
A senior police officer from Indore, assisting in the investigation, said that Raj Kushwaha had allegedly backed out at the last minute and advised the three accomplices not to travel. However, Sonam went ahead and insisted on the murder, even raising the offer to ₹15 lakh during the trip. “She booked their tickets and pressured the others to carry out the killing despite their hesitation. All these claims are under verification,” the officer said.
Police are now focusing on gathering digital, financial, and forensic evidence to solidify the timeline and confirm the extent of Sonam and Kushwaha’s involvement in the meticulously planned crime.
