Raja (29) and his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi (25) went missing on May 23, during their honeymoon in Sohra (Cherrapunji), Meghalaya. Raja’s body was recovered from a gorge below Wei Sawdong Falls on June 2. The autopsy showed he died from two fatal head wounds caused by a sharp-edged weapon (likely a machete).Sonam, Raja’s wife, allegedly conspired to murder him. Police say she orchestrated the plot with her lover, Raj Kushwaha, and paid ₹50,000 to hire killers. Three hitmen—Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi—were sent to Meghalaya on May 22 to follow and kill Raja during the trek. The murder was the fourth attempt on Raja’s life. Earlier failed plans occurred in Guwahati, Nongriat, and between Mawalakhyat and Wei Sawdong Falls. Police revealed the scheme was hatched 11 days before the wedding (butchered timelines confirm around May 11).

Sonam made ~30 calls to Raj Kushwaha between May 16–23, and even shared real-time locations via WhatsApp, highlighting active coordination. Investigators point to a “love angle”, believing Sonam wanted to be with Kushwaha instead of Raja . All five accused—Sonam, Kushwaha, Chauhan, Rajput, and Kurmi—are in police custody. They’ve been sent for 8-day remand in Shillong courts . Sonam reportedly surrendered at Ghazipur, UP, after police tracked her down following the arrests of the other four.

This case stands out due to its callous premeditation — four attempts on Raja’s life — and chilling coordination via phones and location-sharing during a honeymoon.

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