Sonam Raghuvanshi, who conspired to kill her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in Meghalaya just days after their wedding, reportedly paid ₹20 lakh to contract killers after the murder, according to Meghalaya Police. She initially handed over ₹15,000 in cash taken from Raja’s wallet during the crime.
Sonam was arrested after surrendering in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and brought to Shillong for further investigation. Her alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, and three contract killers have also been arrested. The police are reconstructing the crime scene to piece together the chilling sequence of events.
₹20 Lakh Contract Killing: A Premeditated and Calculated Crime
According to Meghalaya Police officials, Sonam Raghuvanshi meticulously planned the murder of her husband Raja shortly after their wedding. The couple had married in mid-May 2025 and were honeymooning in Meghalaya when the crime took place.
Sonam initially gave the assailants ₹15,000 in cash, taken directly from Raja’s wallet during the attack, and later paid a total sum of ₹20 lakh to the hired killers to carry out the murder. The initial contract price was reportedly ₹4 lakh but was increased to ensure the crime’s execution.
The killers, identified as Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi, were allegedly recruited through Sonam’s boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha. The attack occurred on May 23 in Nongriat village, where Raja was brutally assaulted and pushed into a deep gorge.
The Plot Unfolds: Planning, Execution, and Escape
Investigations reveal that Sonam hatched the murder plan shortly after returning to her maternal home in Indore on May 15, just four days after the wedding. She coordinated the plot over phone calls with Raj Kushwaha and arranged for the contract killers to be present in Meghalaya.
To delay intimacy and buy time, Sonam convinced Raja to visit the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, presenting it as a respectful gesture. After the murder, Sonam fled the state, travelling by taxi and train through Guwahati and Indore before surrendering to authorities in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.
The three contract killers also fled Meghalaya but were arrested in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Police have seized blood-stained clothing, a raincoat, and weapons used in the attack, and are continuing to gather forensic and digital evidence to strengthen the case.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This tragic case exposes the dark consequences of betrayal and violence within personal relationships, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness and intervention.
The Logical Indian calls for a collective reflection on how societal pressures, mental health issues, and lack of communication can escalate into such extreme acts.
While justice for Raja Raghuvanshi must be pursued diligently, we must also focus on fostering empathy, dialogue, and support systems to prevent similar tragedies. How can communities and families better recognise the warning signs of toxic or dangerous relationships and intervene effectively?
