Indore 'Missing' Couple Case Solved? Husband Dead, Wife Arrested - Timeline of Another Gruesome Murder

Sonam Raghuvanshi Arrested - Timeline Of Indore Couple 'Missing' Case

• Raja Raghuvanshi (29) and his wife Sonam had gone missing on May 23, hours after they checked out of a homestay at Nongriat village. They got married on May 11.

• A search operation was launched to find them when the family couldn't contact them. According to police, Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam checked out of a homestay at Nongriat on May 23 and went to Mawlakhait village without a guide, reported PTI. An official told the news agency that the couple's mobile phones were last detected at Mawlakhait village.

• East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem told PTI, "Over 50 personnel in groups of 10, besides members of the village defence party and villagers, were pressed into the search operation to trace Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam, reported missing."

• The couple had hired a two-wheeler and it was found abandoned on May 23 at Sohrarim village, about 50 km south of Shillong. The local villagers reported the matter to the police, after which, the cops mapped the area the duo had visited.

• Raja's elder brother, Sachin Raghuvanshi alleged that this was a case of murder and demanded a CBI probe into the matter. Sachin said he has suspicions on the local hotel-restaurant staff, guides and people who rent two-wheelers in Meghalaya.

• In her last call to her mother-in-law, Sonam was panting. According to Raja's mother, the last she had with Sonam was on May 23 and she was observing a Gyaras fast. Raja's mother said that she has called her to ask if she had eaten anything, to which Sonam responded, "Ghumne ke chakkar main vrat thodi tod dungi" (Just because I’m vacationing, I won’t break my fast). The call ended abruptly with her saying she would talk later — a call that never came.

• The sequence of events began on May 22, Thursday, when CCTV footage showed Raja and Sonam arriving at Manha Hotel in Saitsohpen, Sohra, on a scooter with a small suitcase. After failing to secure a room, the couple left the suitcase at the hotel and departed.

• The cops found that the couple were seen heading towards Nongriat village, known for its double-decker living root bridge. The trek to Nongriat from Mawlakhiat is strenuous—requiring descent down 3000 steps. They reached the village between 5.00 to 5.30 pm.

• Homestay owner Sianti Sohkhlet confirmed: two guests arrived with a guide, settled their dues, and after visiting the bridge, returned late. "Food was served to them in their room, and they went straight to sleep," she said.

• She added that on May 23, Friday, the couple checked out early, refusing breakfast. "They paid for the food, signed out from the register, and pointed to the stairs when asked if they remembered the way."

• On June 2, the body of the man, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found in Meghalaya recently was found on Monday, while search for his wife continues, reported PTI. A bloodied machete, and raincoat similar to one Sonam was seeing putting in scooter was found.

• Two days later, a woman's white shirt, a strip of medicine, a part of the LCD screen of a mobile phone and a smartwatch were also seized at the spot, and a homicide case has been registered.

• Sonam’s brother, Govind recently accused the state government of not doing enough. "We strongly believe Sonam is alive. They are searching like she is already dead," he said, urging a CBI probe.

• On Monday (June 9), Meghalaya CM confirmed that 4 persons, including a woman, have been arrested. He said the woman had surrendered to police. Later, Meghalaya DGP I Nongrang said that Sonam was arrested from UP's Ghazipur.