Newlywed Bride Charged in Husband’s Honeymoon Murder
An Indian bride is at the center of a chilling murder case after allegedly orchestrating the killing of her husband during their honeymoon — a crime that sparked nationwide outrage and a massive manhunt before she eventually turned herself in.
Sonam Raghuvanshi, 25, surrendered to police on Monday, June 9 — just a week after the body of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, 30, was discovered in a deep forest gorge in Meghalaya with his throat slashed and his body already decomposing.
Investigators say Raja’s wallet, gold chain, and ring were also missing, indicating robbery as a possible motive alongside the suspected premeditated murder.
According to police, the couple had traveled to Meghalaya on May 20 for their honeymoon following an arranged marriage in Indore on May 11. Four days into their trip, both were reported missing by concerned family members.
A coordinated search involving police, disaster response teams, and local residents led to the discovery of Raja’s corpse on June 2.
Sonam remained missing until she appeared tearfully at a restaurant in Assam, where she called her brother, who then alerted authorities.
Investigators allege that Sonam hired four men to kill her husband. Three of the suspects have already been apprehended, while one remains on the run.
The motive behind the murder is still unclear, especially since Raja’s family claims there were no known disputes between the couple either before or after their wedding.
Raja’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, expressed shock and disappointment: “We thought they were happy. Only Sonam can explain what happened. If she is guilty, she must face justice.”
Initially, the families had criticized the police for not acting swiftly enough, with public accusations made against local officials and law enforcement.
However, the narrative shifted after Sonam’s arrest and the police presented what they claim is strong evidence linking her to the murder plot.
While Sonam’s father has insisted that his daughter is innocent and may have been kidnapped, authorities have dismissed this theory.
Meghalaya officials, frustrated by the public backlash, have even threatened legal action against Raja’s family for what they describe as defamatory accusations against the state and its law enforcement.
Celebrating the rapid progress in the case, Meghalaya Minister Alexander Laloo Hek stated, “The truth has come out.
The police have done an excellent job and apprehended the main suspect within a week.”
The case continues to draw attention across India as authorities work to track down the final suspect and uncover Sonam’s true motive.
Newlywed Bride Charged in Husband’s Honeymoon Murder