Meghalaya Murder Case: Sonam Or Her 'Boyfriend'? Who Hired Killers To Murder Raja Raghuvanshi - What Cops Say

Was it a lover’s betrayal or a cold-blooded conspiracy? As the investigation into Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder in Meghalaya unfolds, a total of seven individuals have been arrested so far. According to police sources, Anand has been identified as the first attacker, while Raj Kushwaha has emerged as the alleged mastermind, reportedly staying in constant touch with Sonam. The primary accused in the case include Vicky Thakur, Anand and Raj Kushwaha. Authorities are also probing the nature of Sonam’s relationship with Raj Kushwaha, suspecting he may be her boyfriend. Meghalaya’s top cop has confirmed that Raja’s killing was a planned execution, raising serious questions about whether Sonam masterminded the crime herself or if someone close to her committed the crime.

However, Meghalaya’s DGP Idashisha Nongrang has confirmed that Raja Raghuvanshi was the victim of a contract killing. According to Times Now sources, Sonam is suspected of hiring hitmen from Madhya Pradesh to carry out the plot during their stay on May 23 in Sohra.

Meanwhile, Sonam, on Monday, herself surrendered from Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur - though family members insist she walked in voluntarily.

As per some reports, Sonam was spotted by cops at a roadside eatery in the Nandganj police station area and was taken into custody. However, Meghalaya Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang confirmed that Sonam had "surrendered and was subsequently arrested".

Sonam was taken to the district hospital for a medical check-up, after which she was shifted to a One Stop Centre for safety and further care.

Three other suspects, allegedly hired by Sonam to kill her husband, were also arrested — "One person was picked up from UP, and another two accused were apprehended from Indore by the SIT," Nongrang confirmed.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma praised the swift progress in the investigation, stating, "Within 7 days, a major breakthrough has been achieved by the Meghalaya Police in the Raja murder case. Three assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, a female has surrendered, and the operation is still on to catch one more assailant."

Raja, 29, and Sonam, 25, had gone missing on May 23, hours after checking out from a homestay in Nongriat village in East Khasi Hills. The couple had arrived in Meghalaya on May 20, days after their May 11 wedding. On June 2, Raja's body was found in a deep gorge near a waterfall in Sohra, about 20 km from where the couple was last seen.

A bloodstained machete, a missing gold ring and chain, and scattered personal items - including a woman's shirt, a smartwatch and a damaged phone screen - further fuelled suspicions of a planned attack. Sonam has reportedly spoken to her family via video call since her arrest.

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