Shillong, Nov 10: The Meghalaya honeymoon murder case will go on trial from Tuesday, following the court’s decision to formally frame charges against five accused, including the victim’s widow, Sonam Raghuvanshi.
The accused — Sonam, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and three others, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi — face charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing disappearance of evidence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The charges were framed on October 28, paving the way for the start of the trial at a Shillong court.
The case stems from the death of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who was found murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya earlier this year.
According to the prosecution, Raja and Sonam had travelled to Shillong on May 21, proceeding later to Sohra (Cherrapunjee). The couple was reported missing on May 26, leading to a massive search operation. A week later, on June 2, Raja’s body was recovered from a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls, with investigators finding two deep cuts on his head — injuries consistent with a sharp weapon attack.
Investigators allege that Sonam, who was in a relationship with Raj Kushwaha, plotted her husband’s murder with the help of the three other men, who allegedly travelled from Madhya Pradesh to execute the plan. Police claim Vishal Singh Chauhan attacked Raja with a machete (locally known as a dao), while Sonam was present at the scene but fled as the assault began.
Following a detailed probe, police arrested all five accused on June 8 and 9. Key evidence, including a second machete and a white shirt suspected to belong to Akash Rajput, was recovered from the crime site.
The Meghalaya Special Investigation Team (SIT) has submitted a 790-page chargesheet, detailing the alleged conspiracy and sequence of events. The prosecution is expected to begin examining its key witnesses as the trial opens.
Meanwhile, Sonam’s bail plea is likely to be moved in court during the proceedings.
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