Mystery Deepens in the Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: Sonam Found Alive After 17 Days

On the morning of June 9th, around 7:09 AM, a tweet from Meghalaya’s Chief Minister sent shockwaves across social media. The tweet announced a major breakthrough in the high-profile Raja Raghuvanshi murder case: within seven days, Meghalaya Police had arrested three attackers from Madhya Pradesh, and a woman had surrendered. A manhunt was still underway for another suspect.

The tweet quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussion online. The case took a dramatic turn when Sonam Raghuvanshi, the woman at the center of the case, was found alive after intense search efforts by police, SDRF, NDRF, local residents, mountaineers, and even Indore police. Her discovery raised more questions than answers.

The Night Sonam Was Found

The story begins in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district, at a roadside eatery called “Kashi Chai Ka Zayka” in the Nandganj police station area. In the early hours of June 9, a distressed young woman with disheveled hair, wearing a T-shirt and jeans, appeared at the dhaba. She looked lost and anxious, standing silently near a tin shed.

A young worker at the dhaba, Chhotu, noticed her and informed the owner, Sahil Yadav. When approached, the woman requested a phone to contact her family. Sahil, recalling his own sisters and daughters, bravely handed over his phone. The woman, later identified as Sonam Raghuvanshi, called her brother Govind, breaking down in tears during the conversation.

A female customer at the dhaba noticed Sonam’s distress and tried to comfort her, eventually advising Sahil to contact the police. Sahil dialed the emergency number 112, and local authorities soon arrived, taking Sonam into custody for her safety.

Police Investigation and the Shocking Revelation

Sonam was taken to the local women’s police station and then to the Sakhi One Stop Center at Maharishi Vishwamitra Autonomous State Medical College. There, she revealed her identity: Sonam Raghuvanshi from Indore, Madhya Pradesh—a name that had been in the news for the past 17 days.

The police were stunned. Sonam’s husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, had recently been found dead in the hills of Shillong, Meghalaya. How did Sonam end up in Ghazipur, hundreds of kilometers away?

Senior officials in Lucknow were alerted, and soon, both Meghalaya and Indore police were informed that the woman they had been searching for was found safe in Uttar Pradesh.

The Timeline: Honeymoon Turns to Tragedy

Sonam and Raja, recently married on May 11, 2025, had set out on a honeymoon, planning to visit Kamakhya Devi temple in Guwahati and then travel to Shillong. Their trip was to last from May 20 to May 29. On May 23, Sonam last spoke to her mother-in-law, citing network issues and promising to call later. After that, all contact was lost.

By May 25, both families launched an emergency search. Despite police efforts, it took 11 days to find Raja’s body in a 1,000-foot-deep gorge in Sohra, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. The body was identified by the name “Raja” tattooed on his arm and bore signs of assault. A sickle, possibly used in the murder, was found nearby.

The Search for Sonam

As authorities searched for Sonam, search and rescue teams, including SDRF, NDRF, and local mountaineers, combed the area. Public pressure mounted, with calls for a CBI inquiry reaching even the Prime Minister. The nation was gripped by the mystery—until Sonam was discovered alive in Ghazipur.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Speculation

Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang confirmed the arrest of three suspects from Madhya Pradesh and the detention of a woman. Police allege that Sonam played a role in orchestrating her husband’s murder, possibly by hiring the attackers. However, her family denies these allegations, and the investigation is ongoing.

Sonam and Raja knew each other well and married with their families’ consent. Their honeymoon plans changed from Kashmir to Shillong due to unrest in Kashmir. The sudden disappearance, Raja’s murder, and Sonam’s mysterious reappearance have left many unanswered questions.

As police continue their investigation, the case remains under intense scrutiny. Whether Sonam is truly guilty or a victim herself is yet to be determined.