Sonam Brought to Meghalaya for Probe as Key Plot Details Emerge

Sonam's journey after murder Indore Police shares details of what Sonam Raghuvanshi did after murdering her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in Meghalaya.

- HT Correspondents

SHILLONG/BHOPAL: Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused of orchestrating her husband Raja Raghuvanshi's murder, was brought to Shillong by Meghalaya police on Tuesday after surrendering in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur.

The surrender came a day after police arrested her alleged boyfriend Raj Kushwaha and three suspected contract killers in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in connection with the case.

Raja and Sonam had arrived in Meghalaya on May 21, and the murder was allegedly committed on May 23. "She did not speak much during most of the journey," a Meghalaya police officer said, describing Sonam's transfer from Ghazipur to Patna, then via flights to Kolkata, Guwahati and finally Shillong.

Sonam allegedly paid ₹15,000 to the contract killers using cash taken directly from her husband's wallet, said a Meghalaya Police officer. The official cited above stated that she allegedly offered the killers a sum of ₹20 lakh after Raja was murdered. Investigators suspect the crime was premeditated by the woman and her alleged lover Kushwaha, both residents of Indore.

Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, Vivek Syiem, stated, "The FIR clearly mentions that Raja was murdered with a dao (machete) and his valuables were taken. Sonam's involvement in paying the killers and offering a large sum afterward strongly points to a conspiracy."

The suspects acted under the direction of Sonam, who, along with Raj Kushwaha, allegedly hatched the plan, said the Meghalaya Police officer.

The accused reportedly posed as tourists, befriended the couple, and carried out the crime.