Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case 2025

A newlywed couple from Indore, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, went missing on May 23 during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. On June 2, Raja’s body was found in a 100-ft gorge near Weisawdong Falls in Sohra, with evidence suggesting he was hacked to death with a machete. Sonam remains missing, with ongoing searches yielding clues like a stained 3XL raincoat, a smashed mobile phone, and a voice message from Sonam hinting at danger. The Meghalaya Police, aided by drones, dog squads, and multiple agencies, continue the search. The couple’s family alleges a botched investigation and demands a CBI probe, while some X posts speculate about local crime, including human trafficking, though these claims are inconclusive. Meghalaya CM has promised action against those responsible.

The Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case is a tragic and ongoing investigation that has gripped national attention. Here’s a concise summary of the key details as of June 6, 2025:

• Raja Raghuvanshi (29) and Sonam Raghuvanshi (24), a newlywed couple from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, went missing on May 23, 2025, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. They had married on May 11 and arrived in Meghalaya on May 20 to visit attractions like the living root bridges in Nongriat village. On June 2, Raja’s decomposed body was found in a 100-ft gorge near Weisawdong Falls, Sohra (Cherrapunji), confirming he was hacked to death with a machete. Sonam remains missing, with search efforts ongoing.

• Investigation Details:
  • Murder Confirmation: The Meghalaya Police, led by East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem, confirmed Raja’s death as a homicide. A bloodstained machete (locally called a “dao”), believed to be newly purchased for the crime, was recovered near the body, along with Raja’s mobile phone. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by SP Herbert Kharkongor and assisted by four DSPs, is probing the case, with charges filed for murder, destruction of evidence, and common intention.
  • Evidence Found: Additional items recovered include a raincoat (possibly Sonam’s) in Mawkma village, a woman’s white shirt, a strip of Pantocid (Pantaprazole 40), a Vivo mobile phone’s LCD screen fragment, and a smartwatch. CCTV footage from May 22 shows the couple checking out of a Shillong hotel before moving to a homestay in Nongriat.

• Sonam’s Last Communication: An undated voice message from Sonam to her mother-in-law, sent on May 23, described trekking in a dense forest, expressing exhaustion and reluctance to continue. She mentioned a steep climb and poor food, hinting at unease. This was the last known contact.
• Search Efforts: The search for Sonam involves the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police drones, dog squads, and the West Jaintia Hills District Adventure Mountaineering Club. Heavy rainfall (500 mm from May 29–31) has hampered operations in the challenging terrain.

• Family Allegations and Demands:
  • Raja’s family, particularly his brother Vipin, alleges a planned kidnapping, robbery, and murder, noting missing items like Raja’s wallet, gold chain, diamond bracelet, and ring. They claim the police ignored early leads, delaying the use of drones, and suspect Sonam may have been abducted, possibly trafficked across the Bangladesh border due to the region’s proximity. The family demands a CBI probe and Army assistance, threatening protests if unmet.
  • Sonam’s brother Govind, who has been searching in Meghalaya, insists she is alive and urges authorities to shift focus from recovering a body to investigating abduction. Posters at Raja’s funeral in Indore read, “I did not die, I was killed,” demanding justice.

• Official and Public Response:
  • Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma is personally monitoring the case, with the SIT prioritizing the investigation. Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh called the incident “unprecedented” but urged calm to protect Meghalaya’s tourism image.
  • The case has sparked concerns about tourist safety, especially after a Hungarian tourist, Puskas Zsolt, died in a fall near the same living root bridges earlier in 2025. X posts reflect public shock and speculation, with some unverified claims suggesting local crime or trafficking, though no evidence confirms these.
• Current Status: As of June 6, the search for Sonam continues, with new CCTV footage from a Shillong hotel on May 22 providing the last confirmed sighting of the couple. The motive for Raja’s murder—whether robbery, vendetta, or otherwise—remains unclear, pending further evidence and the post-mortem report. The family’s grief and distrust in local police have fueled calls for a CBI investigation.

The case remains a chilling mystery, with the ongoing search for Sonam and the investigation into Raja’s murder drawing intense scrutiny. For the latest updates, check trusted sources like The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, or India Today.