Who Walked With Them Into The Forest? Three Men May Hold The Key To Indore Couple Case

It has been 15 days since the disappearance of Sonam Raghuvanshi, while the body of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found in a deep gorge in Meghalaya. The haunting mystery from the northeastern state's Sohra region has captured national attention—with one chilling detail standing out: the couple was last seen climbing steep forest stairs with three unidentified men.

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.

Later on the same day, they 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, accompanied by guide Bhakupar Wansai, and checked into Shipara Homestay.

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.

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," she added.

But it's after this, that the case takes a dark turn.

Tour guide Albert Pde claims he saw the couple around 10.00 am on May 23, ascending the 3000 steps from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat. He made a startling observation: "Three male tourists were with them."

Who these men were—and what happened after—is still unknown.

That morning, Sonam also made a phone call to Raja's mother. The call is believed to be the last known conversation from her.

Raja's mother: "Where is Raja?"

Sonam: "We are climbing… Raja is ahead of me."

Raja's mother: "Are you fasting?"

Sonam: "Yes I am fasting. Why should I break my fast just for traveling. We are in the deep forest. After reaching the top, I will connect you to Raja."

Raja's mother: "Are you eating properly?"

Sonam: "We are in the deep forest. Let us reach the top, then I will eat."

Raja's mother: "I told you to keep dry fruits and something to eat yesterday (May 22)."

Sonam: "It is a thick forest. Going down is steep, and climbing up is very difficult."

Raja's mother: "What did you go to see up there?"

Sonam: "We saw a beautiful and big stream… the food is not proper. We had coffee with milk a while ago, but it was not good, so I threw it away."

Raja's mother: "You are breathing heavily."

Sonam: "Yes, I will call you after reaching the top."

Sonam never handed the phone to Raja. It was unusual. Couples often stay close during such treks, but her words—"Raja is ahead of me"—along with the presence of three men, raise fresh concerns. Was she deliberately kept from Raja? Were they being followed or accompanied for another reason?

On Saturday, May 24, the couple's rented scooter was found abandoned in Sohrarim, about 23 km from Nongriat.

Then, on June 2, a drone spotted a dead body in a gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls, which has remained closed to tourism. The body, later identified as Raja's, was discovered alongside a damaged phone, a machete, and a stained raincoat believed to be Sonam's.

The falls are approximately 21 km from Nongriat and the area is embroiled in a village ownership dispute, keeping it deserted.

That leads to another unnerving question: how did the couple—or perhaps just Raja—end up at the restricted site?

The distance, the terrain, and the abandoned location suggest that someone knew the way—and had a reason to lead or take them there.

The three men seen on the trail remain unidentified. Their presence on May 23, just hours before the couple vanished, may hold the key to the entire case.

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