‘Sonam Gave Signal; Second Attack Weapon Found’: Meghalaya Police Reconstruct Grisly Honeymoon Murder
Meghalaya police recreated the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi in Sohra, involving his wife Sonam and other accused. The police said the crime scene reconstruction clarified her alleged role in the crime.
In a significant development in the murder case of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, the Meghalaya Police on Tuesday recreated the entire crime scene in Sohra (Cherrapunji), bringing all the accused – including Raja’s wife Sonam – to the location where he was allegedly hacked to death. Raja was killed on May 23 while on his honeymoon in the northeastern state. His wife Sonam, her alleged partner Raj, and three others have all been arrested in connection with the crime. The decomposed body was recovered from a gorge near Weisawdong Falls on 2 June.
According to news agency IANS, Meghalaya Police informed that the second weapon used in the crime was recovered today during reconstruction. The accused revealed it was thrown into a ditch, from where SDRF and police retrieved it using a metal detector. The first weapon was found on June 2. A team in Indore is now questioning accused Sonam’s family, they stated.
‘Sonam Gave Signal To Finish The Job’: SP Vivek Syiem On Raja Raghuvanshi Murder
Sharing details of the exercise, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem told the media, “The reconstruction was very successful. We have got a very clear picture now.” According to news agency ANI, he further added, “The SIT today visited several places to re-play how the accused did it. We started from the parking lot where they had kept their two-wheelers…We went to the viewpoint, and ascertained who was standing where just before the murder. There were three blows – the first by Vishal, second by Anand and the last blow by Akash.”
SP Syiem also informed that a second machete used in the attack is yet to be recovered. “The accused replayed how they threw the machete. SDRF are trying to recover the second weapon. We have ascertained what happened to Raja’s mobile phone. It was damaged by Sonam and then by Vishal,” he said.
#WATCH | Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case | Cherrapunjee (Sohra), Meghalaya: On murder scene recreation, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem says, "She (Sonam) has already confessed to the crime... Today we recreated the crime scene, where she stood, what her role was, everything has… https://t.co/Xvp0KXeIZ3 pic.twitter.com/kEMhDMJ8En
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2025
"The first hit was by Vicky, it was a hard hit; it was a lethal hit. Sonam was there when this happened, she had already given a signal to finish the job. She was in front when this happened; Raja was behind; Vishal was to his right...When the first hit was given by Vishal and blood came out, she ran out from the space because he was screaming. The body was thrown by the three of them," he added.
#WATCH | On crime scene recreation in Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, SP East Khasi Hills Vivek Syiem says, "We have ascertained that the victim was hit with the weapon...The first hit was by Vishal aka Vicky...When Raja was hit and blood came out, Sonam moved away from the spot.… pic.twitter.com/QJEr4zTvlQ
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2025
Sonam Had Confessed to Role, Says SP
Regarding Sonam’s presence and involvement during the attack, SP Vivek Syiem told ANI, “She [Sonam] had already confessed to the crime and everything else. Today we recreated the scene to determine where she was standing and what her role was — now everything is clear. I had already said how the three of them attacked Raja and that Sonam was there and then destroyed the phone. It was all pre-planned — all three killed Raja and threw his body.”
Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case
A viral video posted by a tourist — in which Sonam and Raja are seen hiking in Nongriat hours before the murder — has been verified by police as genuine, according to news agency PTI. Following the crime, Sonam reportedly fled Meghalaya and travelled across Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, before surrendering in Ghazipur on June 9.
Officials added that she left behind her ‘mangalsutra’ and a ring in her trolley bag at a Sohra homestay, raising police suspicion.
A senior police officer told PTI, “They were taken to a parking lot above the gorge where the body of Raja was found on June 2. As part of the investigation, the accused will be asked to demonstrate the scene indicating Raja’s final moments as per their statement.” A forensic team was also present during the process.
Director General of Police I Nongrang earlier told PTI that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is examining the case from multiple angles. “We are investigating whether there is anything more to this case. It is unusual that within a few days of marriage, she (Sonam) would develop so much animosity for her husband,” she remarked.
Adding further, she said, “There is enough evidence, and the loose ends are being tied up.”
Earlier, SP Syiem confirmed Sonam’s confession of her involvement in the murder plot. “At first, it appeared that Sonam and her boyfriend hired the hitmen, but later we found out the three were close friends of Raj and they killed Raja as a favour to their friend,” he said.
Assistance has also been sought from police in Assam and other states that the accused reportedly travelled through before and after the crime.
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