Meghalaya Police Explore Motives Beyond Love Triangle in Honeymoon Murder Case

Meghalaya’s Director General of Police, Idashisha Nongrang, has said that the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi is unlikely to have been driven solely by a love triangle, as claimed by the accused. Police are investigating several other possible motives behind the gruesome murder that took place in Sohra.

Addressing the media on Monday, DGP Nongrang expressed scepticism over the initial motive presented by the accused. “Frankly speaking, I still find it difficult to accept the motive that has been given by the accused, and it doesn't sit really well,” Nongrang said. “We are looking to see if there is anything additional. I find it very difficult to believe that a person would generate so much animosity that within a couple of days of marriage, you plot to kill the person,” said the DGP.

She added that while the case superficially resembles a love triangle, the police are not convinced that is the entire story. “On the surface, it appears to be a love triangle, but personally I wouldn’t believe that it’s the only motive,” she said.

The police chief assured that the investigation is progressing steadily. Efforts are underway to prepare a comprehensive chargesheet within the legally mandated timeframe. “The investigation is going on, a lot of the loose ends are being tied up and we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the investigation is foolproof and that we have a very solid case. We have enough evidence and are working to ensure that the case is chargesheeted within the mandated time,” she noted.

According to investigators, Sonam witnessed the murder at the Weisawdong Falls parking area, where the hitmen, friends of Raj attacked Raja with a machete, striking his head before pushing his body into the gorge.

After the killing, Sonam fled Meghalaya using a mix of taxis, buses, and trains, travelling through Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh before ultimately reaching Indore. However, she left behind her mangalsutra and a ring in a trolley bag at the homestay in Sohra. This sparked suspicion and led the police to begin tracing her movements.

During interrogation, Sonam reportedly revealed the location of Raja’s missing jewellery, which police are now working to recover.

All five arrested individuals are scheduled to be taken to Sohra at around midday on Tuesday for a reconstruction of the crime scene, as part of the ongoing investigation.

Raja Raghuvanshi, 29, had been on his honeymoon in Meghalaya with his wife, Sonam, whom he married in Indore on 11 May. The couple had travelled to the state via Guwahati on 21 May. Two days later, they were reported missing from Sohra’s Nongriat village, shortly after checking out of a local homestay.

On 2 June, Raja’s decomposed body was discovered in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls. Sonam was located a week later, on 9 June, in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh—over 1,200 kilometres away. She surrendered to local authorities that same day. Her partner, Raj, along with three contract killers allegedly involved in the murder, were arrested concurrently.​