Raj Kushwaha masterminded Raja Raghuvanshi murder: Meghalaya police

Shillong: Meghalaya Police confirmed that Raj Kushwaha is the mastermind behind the shocking murder of 30-year-old Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who was killed during his honeymoon in Sohra (Cherrapunji) on May 23. The revelation follows the first day of interrogation involving all five accused, including Raja’s wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi. According to police, Sonam and her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, successfully carried out the murder on their fourth attempt, with three earlier plans having failed. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said, “At this juncture, it is very clear there is a love angle. Raj is the mastermind, Sonam is a partner.” Earlier on Thursday, DIG (Eastern Range) Davis N.R. Marak confirmed that both Raj and Sonam had confessed their roles in the plot. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the East Khasi Hills Police, with assistance from their counterparts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, arrested all five accused: Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raj Kushwaha, Anand Kurmi, Akash Rajput, and Vishal Singh Chauhan. The five were brought to Shillong, where a local court granted police an eight-day remand on Wednesday. SP Syiem revealed that the conspiracy to kill Raja was hatched 11 days before his May 11 wedding to Sonam in Indore. The accused made three failed attempts to execute the murder—first in Guwahati, then in Nongriat on the night of May 22, and a third attempt between Mawlikhiat and Weisawdong, when Raja momentarily stepped away from the group. The fatal act finally took place on May 23 at Weisawdong, after the couple had arrived in Sohra the previous day. A missing person report was filed by Raja’s family on May 24 when the couple vanished from their homestay. His body was eventually recovered on June 2 from a deep gorge in Weisawdong. Investigators believe the motive stemmed from Sonam’s romantic relationship with Raj, whom she loved but could not marry. “Sonam loved someone else and had to marry another,” SP Syiem said, explaining the motive. Sonam was in Indore when the body was found. Her arrest followed after Raj reportedly urged her to resurface in the wake of co-accused Akash’s apprehension. The case has shocked the region and raised fresh questions about premeditated crimes masked by marriage and appearances, as authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the conspiracy.