What should have been the happiest chapter of a new marriage ended in a chilling tale of deception, greed, and murder in the quiet hills of Shillong, India.
On May 20, businessman Raja Raghuvanshi arrived in the scenic city with his newlywed wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, to celebrate the beginning of their life together. The destination was picturesque, romantic, and serene — the kind of place meant for memories, not mourning.
But within days, Raja vanished.
When his body was eventually discovered, it was found deep inside a remote canyon, badly decomposed, stripped of identification, his wedding ring missing, and any trace of the man he had been reduced to silence. What first appeared to be a tragic accident or robbery soon unraveled into something far more sinister.
A Suspect — Then a Shock
Early in the investigation, police attention turned to Raj Kushwaha, a man believed to be Sonam’s lover. The theory seemed to fit: jealousy, secrecy, motive.
But investigators digging deeper uncovered evidence that flipped the entire case on its head.
According to authorities, Sonam Raghuvanshi was not a victim or bystander — she was the architect of the murder.
A Carefully Planned Murder
Police allege that Sonam manipulated Raja emotionally, maintaining the appearance of a devoted wife while secretly plotting his death. Investigators say she recruited three men — Vishal Singh, Anand Kurmi, and Akash Rajput — promising them financial rewards in exchange for killing her husband.
Using her phone, Sonam reportedly tracked Raja’s movements, relaying his location to the attackers. Sometime between May 23 and May 24, Raja was allegedly ambushed in the hills and pushed into a gorge, ensuring his death would look accidental and his body difficult to recover.
It was a murder designed to disappear him — literally and figuratively.
A Second Betrayal
What makes the case even more disturbing is what happened next.
After Raja’s death, Raj Kushwaha reportedly returned to Indore, believing he would reunite with Sonam and begin a life with her. Instead, investigators say he too was deceived.
Police allege Sonam was secretly involved with yet another man, and that Raj himself had become disposable. Authorities believe she was planning to eliminate him as well, tying up loose ends in a web of manipulation that spanned multiple relationships.
A Honeymoon That Became a Crime Scene
What began as a romantic getaway ended as a high-profile murder investigation that shocked the nation. The quiet beauty of Shillong’s hills now stands in stark contrast to the brutality of the crime that unfolded there.
Authorities say the case highlights not only the premeditated nature of the killing, but also the lengths to which deception can be maintained behind a carefully constructed façade of love.
For Raja Raghuvanshi, a man who arrived in Shillong believing he was starting forever, the journey ended in betrayal and death.
And for investigators, the case serves as a haunting reminder: sometimes the most dangerous person isn’t the one lurking in the shadows — but the one walking beside you, smiling, and calling you “husband.”
