Meghalaya minister calls Sonam mastermind: honeymoon murder was pre planned crime

Meghalaya Minister Alexander Laloo Hek has labeled the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon as a "pure organised and a pre planned crime", with his wife Sonam identified as the mastermind.

The couple, married on May 11 in Indore, arrived in Meghalaya on May 20. Raja's decomposed body was found near Weisawdong Falls on June 2, after which Sonam surrendered in Uttar Pradesh on June 9.

Police investigations revealed that Sonam conspired with her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, and three contract killers—Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi—to murder Raja.

"It was initiated by Sonam Raghuvanshi and it is a pure organised and a pre planned crime. From beginning they wanted to eliminated Raja Raghuvanshi," Minister Hek stated.

Evidence includes a machete suspected to be the murder weapon, blood-stained clothes, Sonam's raincoat with blood traces, CCTV footage, digital footprints, and statements from hotel owners.

The accused were remanded to eight days of police custody by a Shillong court. Sonam and Raj were arrested in Uttar Pradesh and Indore respectively.

A key breakthrough came when a mangalsutra and ring left in a suitcase helped police crack the case. Police believe Sonam lured Raja to the Kamakhya Devi Temple in Assam under false pretenses before the murder.

"All the accused have confessed to the crime. Sonam has admitted her involvement in the plan, which was hatched just before her marriage to Raja," police sources said.

The case, named 'Operation Honeymoon' by Meghalaya police, continues to unfold as authorities seek justice for the brutal crime.

Meghalaya Minister Alexander Laloo Hek called the honeymoon murder of Raja Raghuvanshi a "pure organised and pre planned crime," implicating his wife Sonam as the mastermind. Sonam, her alleged lover, and three contract killers have been arrested and remanded in custody as police continue their investigation.