Betrayal in the Hills: Sonam Raghuvanshi’s shocking confession under Section 164 CrPC could be the turning point in a case that has exposed a sinister web of greed, deception, and murder.
BY PC Bureau
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 —In a dramatic turn in the high-profile Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, Sonam Raghuvanshi confessed on Wednesday to her involvement in the brutal killing of her husband during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, reports said. The admission came during intense questioning by the Meghalaya Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) at Shillong’s Sadar Police Station, marking a pivotal moment in a case that has gripped the nation with its tale of betrayal and violence.
Sonam, 26, along with four other accused—her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, 28, and his associates Anand Kurmi, 27, Akash Singh Rajput, 25, and Vishal Singh Chauhan, 29—were interrogated for hours by the SIT on Wednesday. The five are set to be produced before a Shillong court later today, where the prosecution will present initial charges. Authorities plan to record Sonam’s formal statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), ensuring its admissibility in court, while also preparing to videotape her confession, which could prove crucial for the prosecution’s case.
The Crime That Shocked India
The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, a 28-year-old businessman from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, unfolded on May 29, 2025, in the serene hills of Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, just days into the couple’s honeymoon. The newlyweds, married on May 23, 2025, in a lavish ceremony in Varanasi, had arrived in Meghalaya for what was meant to be a romantic getaway. However, their trip took a deadly turn when Raja was found bludgeoned to death near a remote waterfall, his body bearing multiple stab wounds and signs of a struggle.
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Initial investigations revealed a chilling plot. Sonam, who initially claimed Raja was attacked by unknown assailants during a hike, was arrested on June 5 after inconsistencies emerged in her account. Police uncovered evidence of her illicit relationship with Raj Kushwaha, a childhood acquaintance from Ghazipur, who allegedly masterminded the murder with three accomplices. The motive, according to investigators, was to eliminate Raja, whose family owns a thriving textile business, and gain control of his wealth. Sources say Sonam stood to inherit a significant portion of Raja’s assets, estimated at ₹2.5 crore, while Kushwaha allegedly sought to fund a lavish lifestyle with her.
So, the truth is out.
They were married on May 10… The boy was so happy and excited but she was clearly upset…
K*lled the husband during the honeymoon,… 😐
Raja Raghuvanshi brought home a bride. She brought along a Death Sentence.
~ Sonam plotted his murder with Raj… pic.twitter.com/KH1FMaLgrE
— Satyaagrah (@satyaagrahindia) June 9, 2025
A Complex Arrest Operation
Sonam’s journey to Shillong for interrogation was a logistical feat reflecting the case’s high stakes. After surrendering to police in Ghazipur on June 7, she was transported by road to Varanasi, then to Patna, covering nearly 600 kilometers under heavy security. From Patna, she was flown to Kolkata and Mumbai, before landing in Guwahati on June 10. To avoid media attention, authorities discreetly escorted her out of Guwahati Airport through the cargo gate, a move prompted by the case’s intense scrutiny on social media platforms like X, where users speculated about her motives and the police’s handling of the case.
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Upon arrival in Shillong late Tuesday, Sonam underwent a mandatory medical examination at Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Health Hospital before being detained at Sadar Police Station. The four other accused, arrested in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar between June 3 and June 6, were brought to Shillong earlier that day. Raj Kushwaha, identified as the key conspirator, allegedly recruited Kurmi, Rajput, and Chauhan— all with prior criminal records for petty theft and assault— to execute the murder for a promised ₹5 lakh payout.
Background and Investigation
The Raja Raghuvanshi murder case has exposed a web of deceit rooted in personal and financial motives. Sonam and Raja, both from Ghazipur’s Rajput community, were introduced through family connections in 2024. Raja, the only son of textile merchant Sanjay Raghuvanshi, was seen as a promising match due to his family’s wealth and status. However, sources close to the investigation revealed that Sonam’s relationship with Kushwaha, a local gym trainer with a history of financial troubles, predated her engagement. X posts from Ghazipur residents, such as @UPNewsWatcher, hinted at rumors of Sonam’s discontent with the arranged marriage, though these remain unverified.
The SIT, formed on June 2 under Meghalaya Police’s Crime Branch, pieced together the plot through call records, financial transactions, and forensic evidence. Raja’s phone, recovered near the crime scene, showed deleted messages between Sonam and Kushwaha, while a blood-stained knife found in a nearby ravine matched the victim’s wounds. The accomplices’ confessions, recorded last week, implicated Sonam as the orchestrator, alleging she lured Raja to the isolated spot under the pretext of a romantic outing. Her confession on Wednesday corroborated these details, though the SIT is probing whether she acted under coercion from Kushwaha.
Meghalaya Police faced logistical challenges due to the case’s interstate nature. The accused were initially detained in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, requiring coordination with multiple state police forces. The decision to transfer them to Shillong, where the crime occurred, was driven by jurisdictional requirements and the need for on-site recreations of the crime scene, scheduled for later this week.
Public and Media Frenzy
The case has sparked widespread outrage and fascination, with X users comparing it to infamous crimes like the 2018 Neha Shoree murder. Hashtags like #MeghalayaMurder and #SonamRaghuvanshi trended, with posts like @CrimeIndia24 ’s claim that “Sonam planned the perfect crime but forgot to cover her tracks
Raja’s family, devastated by the loss, has demanded the death penalty for the accused. Sanjay Raghuvanshi, in a statement to The Indian Express, described Raja as “a gentle soul betrayed by those he trusted.” The family alleges Sonam manipulated Raja’s affections to secure her financial future, a claim bolstered by bank records showing ₹3 lakh transferred from Raja’s account to an associate of Kushwaha days before the murder.
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Legal Road Ahead
Sonam’s confession under Section 164 CrPC will be a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case, as it carries significant weight in court. The videotaped statement, a standard procedure in high-profile cases, aims to counter potential retractions during trial. The SIT is also gathering forensic evidence, including DNA samples from the crime scene, to build an airtight case. The four male accused, charged under Sections 302 (murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code, face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted. Sonam, as the alleged instigator, could face similar charges.
The court appearance will determine whether the accused remain in police custody or are remanded to judicial custody. Meghalaya Police are under pressure to expedite the investigation, given the case’s political undertones— BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh have called for a CBI probe, citing the Raghuvanshi family’s local influence, while opposition parties allege delays in justice.
The Raja Raghuvanshi murder case is a grim reminder of how greed and betrayal can unravel lives. For Meghalaya, a state known for its tranquil landscapes, the crime has cast a shadow over its tourism appeal, with local hoteliers reporting cancellations in Cherrapunji. For India, it underscores the need for robust interstate police coordination in tackling complex crimes. As the nation watches the Shillong court proceedings, the quest for justice for Raja Raghuvanshi hinges on whether the law can hold accountable those who turned a honeymoon into a horror story.
