Daijiworld Media Network – Shillong
Shillong, Jun 9: In a shocking twist to the mysterious disappearance of a newlywed couple on their honeymoon in Meghalaya, police have arrested the wife for allegedly orchestrating her husband’s murder by hiring three contract killers, PTI reported on Monday.
Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) I Nongrang confirmed, “Four persons, including the wife, have been arrested in connection with the murder of an Indore man in Meghalaya.” He further added, “The wife allegedly plotted the murder and hired the killers.”
The victim, Raja Raghuvanshi, and his wife Sonam from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, had arrived in Meghalaya for their honeymoon. They were last seen on May 23, and days later, Raja’s body was found dumped in a deep gorge at Sohrarim near Cherrapunji on June 2. The wife, Sonam, who initially went missing, has now reportedly surrendered, and the search for another accused is ongoing.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced the breakthrough on X, formerly Twitter: “Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved by the Meghalaya Police in the Raja murder case. Three assailants from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, a female has surrendered, and the operation is still on to catch one more assailant.”
As outrage mounted, Raja’s family submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. “We have asked for the PM and Chief Minister’s intervention. The way Meghalaya police are handling it, we don’t believe justice will be delivered,” said Raja’s brother Vipul Raghuvanshi while speaking to ANI.
A tourist guide, Albert Pde, added a crucial eyewitness account. He told PTI that he had seen the couple accompanied by three men climbing over 3,000 steps between Nongriat and Mawlakhiat around 10 am on May 23. “The four men were walking ahead and the woman was behind them. They spoke in Hindi, which I couldn’t follow as I know only Khasi and English,” he recalled.
The guide also stated that he had offered to guide the couple to Nongriat on May 22, but they had opted for another guide named Bha Wansai. They reportedly stayed at Shipara Homestay that night and returned without a guide the next morning.
Police have recorded Pde’s statement as part of their ongoing investigation.
The chilling case continues to unravel as Meghalaya Police press on with the probe to nab the remaining accused.