In a shocking case that has stunned the nation, the mysterious disappearance of honeymooners from Indore has been unraveled as a calculated murder conspiracy. Raja Raghuvanshi, who had recently married Sonam on May 11, was found murdered near Nongriat village in Meghalaya on June 2. Police investigations revealed that Sonam, in an ongoing relationship with her lover Raj Kushwaha—disguised in her contacts as “Sanjay Verma”—had planned the murder even before the wedding. In just 39 days, the duo exchanged over 230 calls, often lasting more than an hour each, further strengthening the suspicion of a premeditated crime.

The crime unfolded after the couple checked out of their homestay in Nongriat on May 23 and suddenly went missing. While a frantic search was underway, it was later discovered that Sonam had fled to Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and surrendered to the police on June 8—the same day the three contract killers were arrested. According to investigators, Sonam hired the assassins—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—with the help of her cousin Jitendra Raghuvanshi, who paid the first installment for the murder. The killers were nabbed from different locations including Indore, Sagar, and Uttar Pradesh, while Raj Kushwaha, the main conspirator, was arrested later.

Sonam confessed to the murder during police interrogation on June 11. She had tried to cover her tracks by renaming Raj in her phone and maintaining regular communication under the false identity. The motive is believed to be her ongoing affair with Raj, who was employed as an accountant at her family’s furniture business. Meanwhile, Sonam’s brother Govind publicly disowned her, stating that the family has severed all ties. He also extended support to Raja’s bereaved family, vowing to assist them in their pursuit of justice. The case, which began as a missing persons’ report, has now become a symbol of deceit, betrayal, and the dark lengths to which some go in the name of love.