Honeymoon Turns Deadly: Sonam Pays ₹20 Lakh to Kill Husband in Meghalaya

In a shocking revelation, Sonam Raghuvanshi allegedly plotted to kill her husband Raja Raghuvanshi on their honeymoon and gave ₹20 lakh to hitmen after the murder, police alleged. The two had got married on May 11 and gone to Meghalaya for the honeymoon on May 21.

Raja had gone missing on May 23, the same day when police suspect that he was murdered. His corpse was discovered on June 2 inside a gorge beside a waterfall in Sohra, East Khasi Hills.

Murder Planned with Lover and Hired Killers

The police claim Sonam, a native of Indore, conspired in the killing with her suspected lover Raj Kushwaha and three contract murderers from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. She first gave ₹15,000 stolen from Raja’s wallet during the crime and later promised ₹15 lakh more, investigators claim.

Meghalaya Police arrested Sonam on Tuesday after she handed herself over in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. She was flown overnight to Shillong. Her arrest came after those of Kushwaha and the three contract killers.

Kushwaha Insists He Pulled Out

Raj Kushwaha informed the police that he backed out at the eleventh hour and did not go to Meghalaya. He also said he had advised the other three to pull out, but they went ahead after Sonam had booked their tickets.

The accused men had initially refused to murder Raja. Still, they were persuaded after Sonam promised them ₹15 lakh, as told by a police officer in Indore who is helping in the investigation.

How Murder Was Carried Out

The killers, according to police, worked as hired assassins who impersonated tourists and befriended the couple for the duration of the trip. On May 23, Sonam is said to have feigned being fatigued near a secluded waterfall, slowing down and placing the killers behind Raja. She is said to have directed them to attack once they reached a remote spot.

The FIR claims Raja was killed with a dao (machete) and his possessions stolen. The murder was pre-planned, said Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills Vivek Syiem, and Sonam’s transactions corroborate the conspiracy theory.

Police are set to take Sonam and the suspect to the crime scene to reenact the events. They will also question Sonam, Kushwaha, and the contract killers with evidence gathered to corroborate.

The probe is ongoing as officials reconstruct communication records and testimonies to make a watertight case in one of the most appalling honeymoon murder cases ever recorded.