Daijiworld Media Network –Indore

Indore, Jun 4: In a deeply disturbing development that has rattled Meghalaya, police have confirmed that Raja Raghuvanshi, a honeymooner from Madhya Pradesh who went missing along with his wife Sonam, was murdered with a machete (dao). His body was recovered 11 days after their mysterious disappearance, plunging the tourism-friendly state into shock.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recovered both Raja’s mobile phone and the murder weapon near a gorge below the Weisawdong Parking Lot at Riat Arliang, where his body was located using drone surveillance.

“This is a clear case of homicide. The dao (traditional machete) used in the crime was recovered from the vicinity. The evidence leaves no room for doubt,” said SP Syiem.

The couple, who hailed from Indore, had arrived in Nongriat on May 22 and were last seen checking out of Shipara Homestay on May 23. The next day, their rented scooty was found abandoned in Sohrarim, intensifying search efforts.

While Raja’s body was finally discovered on Monday, the whereabouts of Sonam Raghuvanshi remain unknown. Search and rescue teams, including the NDRF, SDRF, and a Special Operations Team, have intensified efforts in and around the two-kilometre-long gorge.

“We are focused on locating Sonam. The terrain is vast and treacherous, but the search will continue without pause,” SP Syiem stated.

Back in Indore, Raja’s grieving family has demanded a CBI probe, alleging a planned kidnapping, robbery, and murder. "His body was found 25 km away from where the scooty was left. There’s no way this was suicide. We need justice," said Vipin Raghuvanshi, Raja’s brother. The family had earlier announced a Rs 5 lakh reward for information on the couple’s location.

State Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, while expressing sorrow over the incident, appealed to the public for calm. “This is unprecedented in our state. We must allow police to complete the investigation. One isolated crime should not tarnish the image of Meghalaya as a tourist destination,” he said.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has been “personally monitoring” the search and investigation, according to official sources, and is in constant communication with top officials and rescue teams.

The incident has sparked fear and concern among tourists and locals alike, with many calling for enhanced safety protocols across Meghalaya’s popular hill destinations.