Newlyweds Sonam and Raja were reported missing while on their honeymoon in Meghalaya. The case took a grim turn earlier in June when Raja’s body was discovered, prompting authorities to intensify the search for Sonam.
On the night of 8th June, 2025, police arrested Raj Kushwaha, accusing him of plotting Raja’s murder with Sonam’s assistance. Following Kushwaha’s arrest, Sonam surrendered at a police station in Uttar Pradesh.
Further investigations have revealed more horrifying details of Sonam’s plan. Her confession has revealed how far a person can go to kill someone.
Raja & Sonam Tie The Knot
Raja and Sonam tied the knot on 11th May, 2025 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Just a few days later, Sonam returned to her parental home on 15th May, 2025, where, according to the police, she began planning her husband’s murder in coordination with her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha. Over phone calls, she orchestrated the plot and booked travel tickets to Guwahati.
Sonam Convinces Raja To Leave For Assam
As part of the plan, Sonam reportedly convinced Raja to visit the Kamakhya Temple in Assam before heading to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. This delay, she claimed, was a spiritual gesture, though police allege it was to buy time for the killers to arrive.
Raja and Sonam checked out of the Nongriat homestay early on 23rd May, 2025, returning to Sohra to retrieve their scooter. Later that day, the couple was seen near Weisawdong Falls in the East Khasi Hills, accompanied by 3 men who spoke Hindi. These men, Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), Akash Rajput (19), and Anand Kurmi, were allegedly hired by Raj Kushwaha to execute the murder.
Attack On Raja
According to investigators, Raja was brutally attacked and killed at the falls while Sonam was present. An autopsy later revealed that he was struck twice on the head with a sharp weapon, once from the front and once from behind.
One chilling statement allegedly made by Sonam to Kushwaha was: “If Vishal, Anand, and Akash are not able to kill Raja, I will push him down the mountain while taking a photo.”
When Raja didn’t return, a missing persons case was registered, and the search intensified. His body was discovered on 2nd June, 2025, lying at the base of a gorge roughly 20 km from the last known location.
Meanwhile, the abandoned suitcase at the Sohra homestay played a key role in cracking the case. Investigators recovered Sonam’s mangalsutra and a ring from the luggage. Meghalaya DGP I Nongrang later told the media that the presence of these items suggested Sonam’s possible involvement, as it was unusual for a newlywed bride to leave behind such ornaments.
Following mounting evidence, raids were carried out across Uttar Pradesh, Indore, and Sagar. The 3 contract killers were arrested in overnight operations.
Sonam Surrenders
On 9th June, 2025, Sonam surrendered at Nandganj police station in Ghazipur, UP. Her co-conspirator, Raj Kushwaha, was arrested shortly afterward.
Sonam was brought to Shillong. A court in the Meghalaya capital remanded her, Raj Kushwaha, and the 3 alleged killers to 8 days of police custody.
Authorities confirmed that the accused had confessed and that the available evidence left little doubt about their involvement.
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