In a significant development in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, police revealed that Sonam Raghuvanshi, arrested for the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, had made over 100 phone calls to a man identified as Sanjay Verma before her marriage. Investigations later confirmed that Verma was an alias used by her boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha the alleged mastermind behind the murder.

According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, Sonam continued to stay in contact with Kushwaha even after marrying Raja on May 11 in Indore. The couple travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20.

On May 23, Raja, a businessman from Indore, was brutally murdered in Sohra by three contract killers reportedly hired by Kushwaha. The murder took place in the presence of Sonam. All five accused Sonam, Kushwaha, and the three hired killers have been arrested. The crime scene was recreated on June 18 as part of the investigation.

SP Syiem said the police initially searched for Verma in Indore, but later discovered his true identity as Kushwaha. “Our team is currently in Indore to investigate whether there was any financial motive involved in the murder, in addition to the suspected relationship angle,” he said.

The police further revealed that there were three earlier failed attempts to kill Raja in Guwahati, Nongriat, and near Weisawdong Falls before the final act in Sohra. Kushwaha, who works in a company managed by Sonam’s family, did not travel to Meghalaya to avoid suspicion.

After the murder, Sonam fled Meghalaya and travelled through Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh before reaching Indore. However, she left behind her mangalsutra and a ring in her trolley bag at a Sohra homestay, which raised suspicions and helped police link her to the crime.

Raja’s decomposed body was recovered from Sohra on June 2. A Special Investigation Team continues to probe all possible motives behind the murder.