“Operation Honeymoon”: Chilling Murder Case Unfolds as All Accused, Including Wife, Face Court in Shillong

Shillong — Ten days after the gruesome murder of Raja Raghuvanshi came to light, all five accused in the chilling “Meghalaya honeymoon murder” case — including his wife and prime suspect, Sonam Raghuvanshi — were produced before a Shillong sessions court on Wednesday amid tight security arrangements.

Raja, a 29-year-old newlywed from Madhya Pradesh, was allegedly killed during his honeymoon in the picturesque Sohra-Cherrapunji region of Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district. His wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, 24, is accused of orchestrating the murder along with her alleged lover Raj Singh Khushwaha (21), and accomplices Anand Singh Kurmi (23), Akash Rajput (19), and Vishal Singh Chauhan (22).

Police sought extended custody of all five accused to further investigate the chilling crime that has shocked the nation.

From Honeymoon to Homicide

Raja and Sonam were married on May 11 and set off on their honeymoon soon after. They were last seen on May 23 in the scenic Sohra region. When they failed to return, a frantic search operation involving Meghalaya Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local volunteers was launched.

The search culminated in a grim discovery on June 2, when Raja’s body was found at the base of a deep gorge beneath the Wei Sawdong parking lot in Riat Arliang. His two-wheeler, rented from Shillong, had been found abandoned days earlier near Sohrarim village, raising initial suspicion.

A Trail Across States

Following the recovery of the body, Meghalaya Police launched “Operation Honeymoon” — a multi-state manhunt that took them across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Working with state police forces, Meghalaya investigators tracked down the suspects one by one.

Sonam had surrendered on June 7 in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur. From there, she was taken to Patna, flown to Kolkata and then Guwahati, before finally being brought to the Sadar police station in Shillong late Tuesday night.

The other four accused were arrested from Indore and brought to Shillong on Wednesday under transit remand. All five underwent medical examinations upon arrival.

Police believe that after the murder, Sonam and her co-accused fled Sohra, boarded a train from Guwahati to Indore, and went into hiding. Investigators suspect the group was planning to cross into Nepal and had reached Ghazipur, just 200 km from the border, when Sonam surrendered.

Case Moves Forward

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, confirmed that the accused were presented in court following legal and medical formalities. He added that all would soon be taken to the crime scene for reconstruction to establish a clearer timeline and motive behind the murder.

The case has not only captivated public attention due to its gruesome nature but also for the shocking betrayal — a wife accused of plotting the murder of her husband during their honeymoon, allegedly motivated by a secret relationship.

As the investigation progresses under the jurisdiction of Meghalaya Police, the country watches closely. With growing calls for justice — even from Sonam’s own family, who have disowned her and demanded the death penalty — this high-profile case is set to unfold further in the courtroom and beyond.