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According to East Khasi Hills SP, this was not a contract killing, but rather a crime carried out as a favour among friends
Sonam with Raj Kushwaha (Photo: X)
The Meghalaya Police, investigating the murder of newlywed Raja Raghuvanshi—who was killed during his honeymoon in the state—have identified Raj Kushwaha as the mastermind behind the crime, with Raja’s wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, actively involved in the plot.
“The mastermind of this is Raj Kushwaha. Sonam played along with this plan,” East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem told the media on Thursday.
According to Syiem, this was not a contract killing, but rather a crime carried out as a favour among friends.
“The three people involved are friend and one of them is Raj’s cousin. It was not a contract killing. They did it as a favour for their friend,” he noted.
#WATCH | Raja Raghuvanshi Murder case | Shillong, Meghalaya: SP East Khasi Hills Vivek Syiem says, “… The mastermind of this is Raj Kushwaha. Sonam played along with this plan… The three people involved are friend and one of them is Raj’s cousin. It was not a contract… pic.twitter.com/pfYJ3SUC7W— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
Syiem further revealed that the plot began in February, when the group was in Indore. The plan revolved around making Sonam disappear, but later turned into a murder conspiracy. “Since February, when they were in Indore, they were planning on how Sonam would disappear.”
After Raja and Sonam were married on May 11, they visited the Kamakhya Devi Temple in Assam. A few days later, the other four suspects also reached the area. According to police, the group initially planned to kill Raja in Guwahati, but later shifted the plan to Shillong.
“When Raja and Sonam got married, they came to Kamakhya Devi Temple. The other four people also came here a few days before. They planned to eliminate Raja in Guwahati. Sonam made the plan to come to Shillong,” Syiem added.
Raja and Sonam were reported missing on May 23 while honeymooning in Meghalaya. On June 2, Raja’s body was discovered at the bottom of a deep gorge near a waterfall in Sohra (Cherrapunji), East Khasi Hills. He had suffered severe head injuries, and a blood-stained sharp weapon was found nearby.
On June 8, Sonam surrendered to police in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. The other four suspects — including Raj Kushwaha — were arrested from different locations across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
All five accused — including one who is Kushwaha’s cousin — are now in custody and being questioned by Meghalaya police.
ALSO READ: CCTV Captures Sonam Leaving Shillong Hotel With Raja Raghuvanshi Before His Murder | Video
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
- Location :
Shillong, India, India
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