Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi Case: A Day-by-Day Timeline of the Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder

Below is a detailed timeline of the events surrounding the Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi case, from their marriage to Sonam’s arrest for the alleged murder of her husband, Raja, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, up to June 9, 2025, 10:00 AM IST. This summary is compiled based on available reports for use in a news blog.
May 10, 2025: The Marriage
- Raja Raghuvanshi, a 29-year-old transport businessman from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, marries Sonam Raghuvanshi, aged 24, in a ceremony in Indore. The couple, described as newlyweds, plans a honeymoon to Meghalaya shortly after.
May 20, 2025: Arrival in Meghalaya
- Raja and Sonam arrive in Shillong, Meghalaya, for their honeymoon. They check into a homestay in Nongriat village in the East Khasi Hills, a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty, including Cherrapunji (Sohra) and Weisawdong Falls.

May 22, 2025: Last Known Normal Interaction
- CCTV footage from a Shillong homestay captures Raja and Sonam interacting normally. They are seen wearing black jackets and carrying a white suitcase. Later that day, they check out of the homestay, park their luggage, and ride away on a rented scooter, which is later found abandoned.
May 23, 2025: Couple Goes Missing
- Raja and Sonam are last seen in the Sohra (Cherrapunji) area, specifically in Mawlakhiat village, without a guide. They were reportedly accompanied by three other men, as later noted by a tour guide. This is the last time they are seen together before their disappearance is reported.
- Sonam makes a final call to her mother-in-law, sounding distressed and panting, raising concerns among family members.
- The family loses contact with the couple, prompting them to alert authorities. A search operation is launched by the Meghalaya police.
June 2, 2025: Raja’s Body Found
- Raja Raghuvanshi’s semi-decomposed body is discovered in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls parking area in Sohrarim, close to Cherrapunji. The police confirm he was murdered, with a machete—believed to be the murder weapon—recovered near the scene.
- Sonam remains missing, intensifying search efforts by the Meghalaya police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other agencies, despite heavy rainfall in the region.
- A white shirt, matching one Sonam was seen wearing in CCTV footage, is found near Raja’s body, raising suspicions.
June 4–6, 2025: Ongoing Search and Family Demands
- June 4: Search operations for Sonam continue with no significant leads. Raja’s family, including his brother Vipul, demands a CBI probe, suspecting foul play and expressing distrust in the local investigation.
- June 6: Sonam’s family claims the police are not searching adequately, suggesting the operation is being conducted as if she is presumed dead. Her brother, Govind, camps in Shillong to assist in the search.
- June 6: The case gains attention on platforms like X, with speculation about the circumstances of Raja’s death and Sonam’s whereabouts.
June 7, 2025: Eyewitness Account and Political Involvement
- A tour guide, Albert Pde, reports to the police that he saw Raja and Sonam with three unidentified men in Mawlakhiat village on May 23, the day they went missing. This provides a critical lead in the investigation.
- State Congress President Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari visits Raja’s family in Indore to express condolences and support their demand for a CBI inquiry.
June 8, 2025: Investigation Intensifies
- The Meghalaya police form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case further. The focus shifts to tracking down the three men reportedly seen with the couple and locating Sonam.
- Raja’s brother, Sachin Raghuvanshi, alleges possible involvement of local hotel staff, guides, or scooter rental services in Meghalaya, further fueling calls for a CBI probe.
June 9, 2025 (Up to 10:00 AM IST): Breakthrough and Arrests
- Early Hours (3–4 AM): Sonam Raghuvanshi contacts her brother, Govind, via a video call from Kashi Dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur road in Uttar Pradesh, using the eatery owner’s phone. This call alerts the police, who coordinate with Indore and Ghazipur authorities.
- Morning: Sonam surrenders at Nandganj police station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and is subsequently arrested. She is taken to Sadar Hospital for initial treatment and then moved to a One-Stop Centre in Ghazipur for safety and further inquiry.
- Overnight Raids: The Meghalaya SIT arrests three alleged assailants: one from Uttar Pradesh and two from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The arrested men reportedly confess that Sonam hired them to kill Raja, revealing a planned conspiracy.
- Motive: A preliminary probe by Meghalaya police, as stated by Deputy Inspector General Davis Marak, suggests an extramarital affair as the primary motive for the murder. The trip to Meghalaya was allegedly planned to execute Raja’s killing.
- Police Confirmation: Meghalaya DGP I Nongrang confirms Sonam’s central role in orchestrating the murder, stating she hired contract killers. A machete recovered near the crime scene supports the murder allegations.
- CM’s Statement: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma praises the police on X for their swift action, noting that three assailants from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, Sonam has surrendered, and efforts continue to apprehend one additional suspect.
- Family Reactions:
- Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, denies her involvement, accuses the Shillong police and locals of collusion, and demands a CBI probe, alleging even the Meghalaya CM is misleading the public.
- Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, disputes claims that Sonam surrendered voluntarily, insisting the family will only believe her account once she confirms it herself.
- Sonam’s mother, Sangeeta, expresses relief at her daughter being found but seeks clarity on who was behind Raja’s murder.
- Public and Media Attention: The case draws significant attention on X and in the media, with posts highlighting the shocking twist of Sonam’s alleged betrayal. India Today reports an illicit lover as part of the murder plot, adding to the sensational nature of the case.
Summary as of June 9, 2025, 10:00 AM IST
- Raja Raghuvanshi, a 29-year-old from Indore, was murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, with his body found on June 2 in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls.
- Sonam Raghuvanshi, his 24-year-old wife, was arrested on June 9 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, after surrendering following a phone call to her family. She is accused of hiring three contract killers to murder Raja, with an extramarital affair cited as a possible motive.
- Three assailants have been arrested (two from Indore, one from Uttar Pradesh), and the police are searching for at least one more suspect.
- The case has sparked demands for a CBI probe from both families, with Sonam’s father denying her involvement and Raja’s family questioning the circumstances of her surrender.
- Forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and phone data are being analyzed to uncover the full sequence of events. The investigation continues to explore the conspiracy and any additional accomplices.
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