- By Priyanka Koul
- Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: In a major development in the murder case of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi, who was killed during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, the state police on Tuesday revealed that two weapons were used in the crime and that the victim was struck three times before being thrown into a gorge.
Speaking to the media, Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Syiem said investigators have now formed a “clear picture” of the crime after reconstructing the sequence of events.
As part of the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) probe, police recovered one of the machetes allegedly used in the killing. “We have recovered a sharp weapon which had been purchased by the accused from Guwahati to commit the murder,” a senior official told ANI. The search for the second murder weapon is ongoing.
Syiem told PTI, “The SIT today visited several places to re-play how the accused did it. We started from the parking lot where they had kept their two-wheelers...We went to the viewpoint, and ascertained who was standing where just before the murder.”
Police officials detailed the assault sequence, revealing that “there were three blows – first by Vishal, second by Anand and the last blow by Akash.” The official added, “We have ascertained that one more machete still needs to be recovered. The accused replayed how they threw the machete. SDRF are trying to recover the second weapon.”
According to police, Raja was first struck by Vishal, during which his wife Sonam moved away from the spot. His body was then allegedly thrown into the gorge by the group.
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Five people have been arrested in connection with the murder, including Sonam Raghuvanshi, the victim’s wife. The other accused have been identified as Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Raj Singh Kushwaha, and Anand all of whom reportedly helped plan and carry out the killing.
Raja and Sonam were married on May 11 and travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. They were reported missing by Raja’s family on May 23 after they failed to return to Indore.
On June 2, Raja’s body was discovered in a gorge near Sohra (Cherrapunji), prompting police to convert the missing persons case into a murder investigation. Sonam was later located near a roadside dhaba along the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway, where she surrendered.
Alongside Sonam, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha and three other accomplices were arrested by teams from Meghalaya and Indore police.
The investigation is still underway as authorities attempt to recover the second weapon and gather more forensic evidence to close the case.