Marriage, Disappearance, Death: Inside Indore Couple’s Chilling Meghalaya Trip
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Marriage, Disappearance, Death: Inside Indore Couple’s Chilling Meghalaya Trip
Marriage, Disappearance, Death: Inside Indore Couple’s Chilling Meghalaya Trip. Raja Raghuvanshi, 30, and Sonam Raghuwanshi (27) went missing on May 23. Body of Raja was found in a gorge on June 2, while a search is still on for his wife. Police have registered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and are treating the murder case with suspicion. The body was identified by a distinctive “Raja” tattoo on his right hand. Recovered along with Raja’s decomposed body were a machete, a strip of medicine, a part of a mobile phone LCD screen, and a smartwatch. A raincoat with blood stains — suspected to possibly belong to the missing tourist — was recovered near Mawkma Road, Sohra, and was sent for forensic testing. The search for 27-year-old Sonam is still underway. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details.
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News18.com
Last Updated: June 07, 2025, 23:54 IST
Upon thorough search, Raja’s body was found in a gorge on June 2, while a search is still on for his wife.
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An Indore-based newlywed couple – Raja Raghuvanshi (30) and Sonam Raghuwanshi (27) – who came to rain-soaked hills of Meghalaya for their honeymoon, shockingly disappeared on May 23.
The couple, who were on their honeymoon, went missing on 23 May shortly after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village.
Upon thorough search, Raja’s body was found in a gorge on June 2, while a search is still on for his wife.
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Here’s the timeline of the incidents:
May 20, Guwahati: The duo embarked on their honeymoon on May 20, where Guwahati was their first stop.
May 21, Shillong: The couple reached Balaji Guest House in Meghalaya’s Shillong and checked in.
May 22 morning, Shillong: They rented a two-wheeler on Keating Road in the morning and returned to Balaji Guest House. They checked out, skipping breakfast, and informed the manager they’d be back by May 25, or would call if they needed a room.
May 22 evening, Mawlakhiat, East Khasi Hills: The couple arrived in Mawlakhiat village on a rented scooter. They trekked over 3,000 steps down the gorge to visit the famous living root bridges in Nongriat village, where they stayed the night, according to police.
May 23, morning: Mawlakhiat, East Khasi Hills: The couple checked out of Shipara Homestay and returned to Mawlakhiat village unaccompanied by their guide. They departed from Mawlakhiat and later they vanished from the Sohra (Cherrapunji) area.
A search began in the surrounding areas with assistance from local villagers. Albert Pde, a local guide at Mawlakhiat, told news agency PTI that he saw the couple with three male tourists while they were climbing from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat around 10 am on May 23.
The guide told the police the couple informed him they would manage by themselves and did not use his service for the return trek.
May 24, Sohrarim: The headman of Sohrarim village in East Khasi Hills has reported to the police the discovery of an abandoned scooty within their village.
May 25, Sohrarim: The police traced the scooty owner, who came to Sohra police station and confirmed that the Raghuvanshi couple had rented the two-wheeler.
June 2, Wei Sawdong Falls: The semi-decomposed body of 30-year-old Raja was discovered at the bottom of the gorge near the Weisawdong Falls parking area at Riat Arliang. He was identified by a distinctive “Raja” tattoo on his right hand.
Recovered along with Raja’s decomposed body were a machete, a white shirt belonging to a woman, a strip of medicine, a part of a mobile phone LCD screen, and a smartwatch.
June 4, Sohra: A raincoat with blood stains — suspected to possibly belong to the missing tourist — was recovered near Mawkma Road, Sohra, and was sent for forensic testing.
“We recovered a wet raincoat. There are certain stains on it, but we cannot confirm if those are blood stains. Only forensic tests will determine that,” East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem had said.
Search For Sonam Still Underway
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The search for 27-year-old Sonam is still underway. Police have registered a murder case and are treating the circumstances with suspicion. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is leading the probe. “We are investigating with an open mind, and all possibilities, including honour killing, are being explored,” SP Syiem told CNN-News18.
Raja’s body has been sent to NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, for post-mortem examination. As the search for Sonam continues, investigators hope that the recovery of the dao and mobile phone will provide critical leads in unraveling the mystery behind the suspected double homicide.
About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India … Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India … Read More
Location : Meghalaya, India, India
First Published: June 07, 2025, 23:53 IST