Indore man killed in Meghalaya: Wife 'hired killers'; 3 hitmen caught

Guwahati: A 24-year-old woman and four others were arrested on Monday in a case related to the alleged murder of her husband, hailing from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, during their honeymoon trip to Cherrapunjee, a popular tourist destination in Meghalaya, recently.

Police in Meghalaya told reporters that investigation so far suggests the lady, Sonam Raghubanshi as the prime accused and three others, Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan and Anand Kurmi, aged between 19 and 22, to be hired killers, who were directly involved in the crime.

Another accused, Raj Singh Kushwaha, who was arrested from Indore, is suspected to be the woman's boyfriend.

Police sources said although the motive behind the crime is not yet known, investigations have suggested that Sonam was in touch with her "boyfriend" Raj before and after the crime. Raj, however, did not visit Meghalaya.

The chilling trip

The newly-wed couple was on their honeymoon to Meghalaya and were last seen on May 23. But the husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found dead in a gorge at Sohrarim near Cherrapunjee, on June 2.

The body was found after police launched a search based on an FIR lodged by Raja's family in Indore. The Madhya Pradesh government also requested Meghalaya government for a search and investigation.

Police said that the investigation revealed that three people, who are suspected to be "hired killers" followed the couple in Meghalaya. Sonam and the three other accused left Meghalaya on the day of the crime.

Police also recovered a schooter which the couple hired during their trip. Raja's family even wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a CBI investigation.

Meghalaya Home Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday told reporters in Shillong that details about modus operandi and the reasons behind the murder would be known after thorough interrogation of Sonam. The woman is being brought to Meghalaya for production in a court.

"Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #meghalayapolice in the Raja murder case … 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant," Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma posted on X on Monday morning.