What should have been the beginning of a love story turned into one of India’s most shocking crimes — a twisted tale of betrayal and murder that unfolded during a honeymoon in the misty hills of Shillong. Beneath the serene beauty of Meghalaya’s landscape, a deadly plot was set in motion — one that would end with a husband’s body at the bottom of a gorge and his wife at the center of a criminal investigation that stunned the nation.
It all began on May 20, when Indian businessman Raja Raghuvanshi and his new bride Sonam set out on what was supposed to be a romantic honeymoon. Friends described the couple as happy and deeply in love, their social media pages filled with smiling photos from their wedding only weeks earlier. Their destination — the picturesque hill station of Shillong — seemed like the perfect place for a fresh start. But behind those smiles, a much darker story was brewing.
A few days after their arrival, the couple suddenly went missing. When calls went unanswered and messages stopped, Raja’s family grew worried and contacted local authorities. A search began immediately, but the effort was complicated by Meghalaya’s unpredictable weather — heavy rains, thick fog, and rugged terrain slowed down progress.
After several tense days, investigators made a horrifying discovery. Raja’s body was found deep inside a remote canyon, badly decomposed and stripped of his belongings. There were signs of a struggle and clear evidence of foul play. What had started as a missing person’s case had now become a murder investigation.
At first, suspicion fell on Raj Kushwaha, a man identified as Sonam’s lover. Early evidence pointed toward a crime of jealousy — a lover unable to accept Sonam’s marriage. But as detectives began to dig deeper, the story that emerged was far more sinister.
Investigators soon uncovered a web of deceit orchestrated not by an obsessed ex-lover, but by Sonam herself. She wasn’t an innocent newlywed — she was the mastermind. According to police, Sonam had spent months manipulating Raj, convincing him that their love could only be real if her husband was gone. She allegedly promised him marriage, money, and a new life together — but only if he helped eliminate Raja.
Blinded by desire, Raj agreed. He even recruited three more men — Vishal Singh, Anand Kurmi, and Akash Rajput — to carry out the attack. The group planned every step, from tracking Raja’s movements to the method of execution.
Evidence later revealed that during the honeymoon, Sonam stayed in constant contact with Raj via phone calls and messages, feeding him live updates about her husband’s location and routine. She played the role of the devoted wife during the day — sightseeing, posing for photos, laughing with Raja — while secretly planning his death.
Between May 23 and 24, Raja was lured to a remote spot outside Shillong. There, according to investigators, the men ambushed him and pushed him into a deep gorge. His body was left to decompose in the wilderness.
Sonam returned to her hotel and acted normal, even sending messages to family members as if nothing had happened. Raj, believing their ordeal was over, went back to Indore and waited for her. But what he didn’t know was that Sonam had already moved on — again.
As investigators continued piecing together the case, they discovered that Sonam had been involved with a third man, someone she allegedly intended to run away with after Raja’s murder. Raj, the man who had killed for her, was next on her list. Police believe she planned to lure him to an isolated location and “disappear” him the same way she did her husband — all to erase any loose ends that could expose her.
The case broke open when police analyzed cell phone data. The digital trail between Sonam and Raj was damning — hundreds of messages, constant location sharing, and even incriminating voice notes. On June 8, police traced Sonam’s movements and arrested her.
During interrogation, she reportedly confessed to her role in the murder, admitting she had planned the crime but claiming Raj carried out the killing. Authorities are still determining how much of her confession was truthful, but what became clear was that she had manipulated everyone around her — her husband, her lover, and perhaps even the third man she intended to use next.
For investigators, the case was as disturbing as it was tragic. What began as a story of love and celebration ended in betrayal and death. The honeymoon — a universal symbol of joy and new beginnings — became the stage for a calculated execution.
As the details came to light, the public reaction was one of disbelief and outrage. How could a woman plan something so cold-blooded, all while pretending to be the loving bride? Media outlets across India called it the “Honeymoon Murder,” a chilling phrase that spread rapidly through headlines and social media.
Those close to Raja described him as kind, hardworking, and deeply in love with his wife. He had no idea of the danger he was in. Friends said he often spoke fondly of Sonam, calling her “his lucky charm.” The thought that she orchestrated his death left those who knew him devastated.
Meanwhile, Sonam’s image — once that of a quiet, elegant woman — was shattered. Court documents describe her as manipulative and calculating, willing to use anyone to achieve her goals. Police say she played every side — seducing one man, deceiving another, and betraying all of them in the end.
Her co-conspirators, including Raj and the other men, were later tracked down and arrested. They now face charges of murder, conspiracy, and destruction of evidence. The prosecution’s case relies heavily on digital data and Sonam’s confession, which investigators call “the key that unlocked everything.”
For many in India, this case struck a deeper nerve — a reminder that beneath the surface of even the most beautiful moments, darkness can hide. Love, when poisoned by greed or lust, can twist into something monstrous.
A senior investigator summed it up bluntly: “This wasn’t a crime of passion. It was a business transaction of betrayal. Every move was planned, every message rehearsed. It was a performance — until it wasn’t.”
As the case heads toward trial, the story continues to capture public fascination. Not because of its brutality, but because of its betrayal — the chilling idea that someone could turn a honeymoon, a symbol of trust and intimacy, into a murder plot.
The tragedy of Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi will likely be remembered for years as one of India’s most haunting reminders that appearances can deceive. Behind the scenic beauty of Shillong and the smiling wedding photos was a woman driven by manipulation and greed — and a man who paid for love with his life.
In the end, what was meant to be a journey of love became a journey into darkness — proof that sometimes, the most dangerous place in the world isn’t a crime scene. It’s the heart of the person you trust the most.