Happily never after: How Sonam planned and executed chilling murder plot- against her husband on honeymoon | India News

What began as a seemingly joyful honeymoon turned into a chilling tale of betrayal and premeditated murder. Raja Raghuvanshi, a newlywed from Indore, never suspected that his dream trip to Meghalaya would be the setting of his own death—allegedly orchestrated by the one person he trusted most: his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi.Just days after their wedding, Raja was brutally hacked to death in a remote forested area. As investigators peeled back layers of the case, what emerged was a dark and calculated plot driven by a forbidden love, deceit, and cold-blooded planning.Far from a crime of passion, the murder was allegedly planned months in advance, with Sonam enlisting her lover and hired killers to kill her husband.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how she is suspected to have planned and executed the murder of her husband:

1. Premeditation before marriage

Sonam had allegedly made it clear to her family that she did not want to marry Raja. In a chilling warning before the wedding, she is said to have told her mother, “If you ever get me married, just wait and see what I’ll do.” This statement is now seen by investigators as an early sign of her intent to act violently if pushed into the marriage.Despite her resistance, the marriage went ahead, and Sonam quietly began putting her plan into motion. The motive, according to police, was not just dislike or incompatibility but a deep-rooted desire to be with another man—at any cost.

2. Affair with another man

Sonam was reportedly in a romantic relationship with Raj Kushwaha, a worker in her family’s grain business. Their relationship continued even after her marriage to Raja, and investigators believe this affair was a key motivation for the murder.Rather than end the marriage or confront her family, Sonam allegedly chose to eliminate her husband to clear the way for a future with Raj. Their communications and behavior after the murder further fueled suspicion about their involvement.

3. Hiring contract killers

Together, Sonam and Raj allegedly arranged for three men—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—to carry out the murder. These men were acquaintances of Raj and were allegedly promised money to execute the killing.The group meticulously planned the details, including location, timing, and method of attack. They coordinated travel and logistics to ensure Raja was isolated and vulnerable when the attack occurred.

4. Honeymoon as a trap

The couple’s honeymoon to Meghalaya was not a celebration but a setup. Sonam reportedly bought a one-way ticket and deliberately chose a secluded forest location under the pretext of taking photographs. The killers were already in place, waiting for the signal.Raja had no idea that the woman he had just married had led him into an ambush. The serene setting of the Northeast’s natural beauty was chosen precisely for its remoteness and lack of witnesses.

5. Failed initial murder attempt

Initially, the attackers tried to push Raja off a cliff, hoping to make his death look like an accident. But when that failed, they resorted to a more brutal method: attacking him with a machete.Reports indicate that Sonam may have been present during the killing, watching silently as the murder unfolded. This act of violence was not impulsive—it was a planned and backed-up strategy, with murder being the ultimate goal.

6. Covering it up as robbery

After the murder, Sonam claimed that they had been attacked by robbers who stole Raja’s gold chain and ring. She feigned shock and grief, initially convincing some of the locals and police.However, inconsistencies in her story began to emerge. Surveillance footage and statements from witnesses did not support the robbery claim, prompting investigators to dig deeper.

7. Incriminating evidence left behind

Despite trying to play the victim, Sonam made crucial mistakes. Her mangalsutra and ring were later found at the abandoned homestay they had checked out from—items she claimed were stolen.This direct link between her and the crime scene contradicted her earlier statements and became a major piece of evidence pointing to her involvement in the murder.

8. Digital footprints exposed her

Though Sonam kept her phone switched off to avoid detection, investigators traced a brief activation near Ghazipur. That one moment revealed her location and tied her movements to others involved in the plot.Her digital traces, combined with Raj’s call records, showed coordination between all the accused. This helped the police establish a timeline and connect the dots.

9. Sonam identified as mastermind

Police now believe that Sonam was not just a participant but the mastermind of the entire crime. She allegedly manipulated Raj emotionally and financially, using him to arrange the killers and logistics.She distanced herself physically from the crime’s execution, likely in an attempt to avoid suspicion. However, her planning, timing, and involvement in luring Raja sealed her role as the primary conspirator.

10. Confession during interrogation

During sustained questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Sonam reportedly broke down and confessed to the plot. Her confession aligned with the evidence collected, including digital records, testimonies, and physical clues.Sonam allegedly gave Rs 50,000 to her lover, Raj Kushwaha, to cover his travel expenses and those of three accomplices to Shillong, according to police. Citing confessions from two arrested suspects, investigators said the amount was also meant for Raj to track Sonam and her husband Raja’s movements during the trip.