Dharamshala: A honeymoon trip for a newlywed couple from Indore took a tragic turn when 30-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi was reportedly murdered in Meghalaya. Disturbingly, authorities have disclosed that his wife, Sonam, is suspected of planning the murder by hiring three individuals to carry out the act.

The Director General of Police (DGP) of Meghalaya, I Nongrang, informed the press that Sonam turned herself in at the Nandganj police station in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, over the weekend. In addition, three accomplices—two apprehended in Indore and one in Uttar Pradesh—were arrested during overnight operations conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The couple arrived in Meghalaya on May 20, shortly after their wedding on May 11. They were last seen together on May 23 in the Sohra region, also known as Cherrapunji. A local tourist guide, Albert Pde, reported spotting them alongside three unidentified men as they navigated the challenging 3,000-step trek from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat.

A significant breakthrough occurred on June 2 when Raghuvanshi’s body was discovered in a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls. The absence of his gold ring and neck chain raised immediate concerns about foul play. Investigators also found a bloodstained machete nearby, along with a raincoat believed to belong to the couple in Mawkma village, situated along the path between Sohrarim and the gorge.

The DGP confirmed that all three arrested individuals confessed during questioning that Sonam had compensated them for the murder of her husband. “The operation is ongoing to apprehend at least one more suspect thought to be involved,” she stated.

In response to the developments, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma praised the rapid progress made by the police. “In just a week, the Meghalaya Police has achieved a significant breakthrough in the Raja murder case. Three assailants from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, the woman has surrendered, and efforts are underway to locate the remaining suspect. Great job!” he shared on the social media platform X.

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased is calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter.