Honeymoon Horror Wife Arrested for Hiring Hitmen to Murder

*Sonam Raghuvanshi surrenders in UP after 7-day manhunt; lover and three hitmen in custody as police unravel "premeditated plot".*

Ghazipur/Shillong, June 9, 2024 – In a shocking twist to the Meghalaya honeymoon tragedy, Sonam Raghuvanshi, wife of slain Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, was arrested late Saturday night at a roadside dhaba in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur. Police allege she masterminded Raja’s murder by hiring hitmen during their honeymoon, with her lover Raj Kushwaha orchestrating the plot.

Key Developments:

The Arrests

    Sonam Raghuvanshi: Surrendered at Nandganj Police Station (Ghazipur, UP) after calling her brother from a dhaba.

Raj Kushwaha (alleged lover/mastermind): In custody; police claim he planned the murder with Sonam.

Vicky Thakur, Akash, Anand: Arrested in Madhya Pradesh; accused of pushing Raja into a gorge near Weisawdong Falls.

1 assailant still at large.

The Crime Scene

Raja’s body was found on June 2 in a gorge near Sohra, Meghalaya.

Critical evidence: Bloodstained machete, missing gold chain/ring, and Sonam’s abandoned raincoat (CCTV-confirmed).

Honeymoon scooter found unlocked at Sohrarim with keys attached – signaling a rushed escape.

The Plot

Premeditation: Sonam booked the Meghalaya trip despite family objections.

Lover’s Role: Raj Kushwaha (known to Sonam pre-marriage) directed hitmen via phone.

Murder Method: Hitmen pushed Raja into the gorge during a "jungle trek" Sonam suggested to her mother-in-law.

 

Family Reactions:

Side	Statement
Sonam’s Family	Father Devi Singh: "She’s innocent! Police fabricated the story. Demand CBI probe." Mother Sangeeta: "We’re thankful she’s alive but want truth behind Raja’s death."
Raja’s Family	Brother Vipin: "She didn’t surrender; we asked police to retrieve her." Family unaware of Meghalaya trip: "Sonam booked tickets secretly."

 

Police Investigation:

Timeline:

May 23: Couple goes missing.

June 2: Raja’s body found.

June 8: Sonam arrested; 3 hitmen held.

Evidence:

Tourist guide’s testimony: "Three men accompanied the couple."

Forensic match: Raincoat at crime scene linked to Sonam via CCTV.

Probe Focus: Sonam’s phone records, Kushwaha’s financial trails, and weapon sourcing.

 

Official Statements:

Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang:

"Sonam voluntarily surrendered. The hitmen confessed she hired them for ₹20 lakh."

UP ADG Amitabh Yashe:

"She was sobbing at the dhaba, begged to call family. Medical exam completed; Meghalaya Police taking custody."

CM Conrad Sangma (X Post):

"#MeghalayaPolice achieved a breakthrough in 7 days. Well done!"

 

Unanswered Questions:

    How did Sonam travel 2,500 km from Meghalaya to UP undetected?

 

  Why did Raj Kushwaha target Raja? (Property dispute/love triangle                 suspected)

Who funded the hitmen? (Police tracing Kushwaha’s transactions)

 

Pulse Next will update as the SIT digs deeper.