On May 31, Raja’s remains were found.
Indian police say a newlywed woman who vanished after her husband was found murdered during their honeymoon has surrendered and is now in custody.
Sonam Raghuvanshi had been reported missing following the death of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was discovered in a gorge in Meghalaya with his throat slit.
Police now allege that on their honeymoon, Sonam orchestrated his killing by hiring four contract killers. All four men have also been arrested.
Initially, the families of the couple feared Sonam had either been abducted or killed and launched a major campaign to find her.
Her father, Devi Singh, continues to deny her involvement in Raja’s murder.
He said: “She is innocent and she cannot do this.”
He claimed his daughter had “somehow managed to escape her captors” and phoned her brother from a roadside eatery.
Devi added: “I have not been able to speak to my daughter but I believe she is innocent.”
The couple got married on May 11, 2025, in Indore.
Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, said:
“Their marriage was arranged four months back and they were both happy and there had been no fights between the couple before or after marriage.”
They went to Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20.
But four days later, the couple disappeared.
Rescue efforts were launched across the mist-covered cliffs and gorges of the region. Footage showed emergency teams rappelling into ravines in the rain and poor visibility.
On May 31, Raja’s remains were found. His wallet, a gold ring and a chain were missing. Sonam had vanished without a trace, prompting widespread anger and speculation.
Both families accused the local police of negligence and demanded that the case be transferred to federal investigators.
They also appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an open letter, urging intervention.
But Director General of Meghalaya Police, Idashisha Nongrang, later confirmed that Sonam had surrendered at a police station in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh.
Idashisha Nongrang said: “Sonam surrendered at the Nandganj police station and was subsequently arrested.
“One person was picked up from Uttar Pradesh and another two accused were apprehended from Indore.”
A fourth suspect had been previously detained. All are reportedly from Madhya Pradesh. Police have not yet disclosed a motive.
Meanwhile, Sonam’s father has accused the Meghalaya police of “making up stories” and urged Home Minister Amit Shah to launch a federal inquiry.
Raja’s family, who had earlier refused to believe Sonam was involved, are now reconsidering their stance.
Vipin Raghuvanshi said:
“Only Sonam can clarify. If she’s guilty, she should be punished.”
He also revealed that one of the arrested suspects had previously worked with Sonam:
“I now believe that Meghalaya government was not lying. They were telling the truth.”
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised his police force, calling the arrest a “major breakthrough” in just seven days.
His cabinet colleague, Alexander Laloo Hek, also defended the state’s role.
“The truth has come out. The state police, the government and even the ordinary people were unfairly blamed while the search was ongoing.”
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