A tragic honeymoon in Shillong for a newlywed couple from Indore has ended in profound grief, as the body of Raja Raghuwanshi was recovered from a deep gorge, while the desperate search continues for his wife, Sonam Raghuwanshi. The heartbreaking incident has plunged their family, friends, and the entire city of Indore into mourning.
Raja and Sonam, both residents of Indore, had celebrated their wedding in a blissful ceremony on May 11, 2025. Filled with love and boundless hopes for the future, the couple embarked on their honeymoon to Meghalaya’s serene hills on May 20, eager to begin their married life together. However, their dream trip quickly turned into a nightmare when they mysteriously went missing in Shillong on May 23, just days after their arrival.
For ten agonizing days, the families and friends held onto a fragile thread of hope, with the silent plea, “May God bring them back safely,” echoing through the community as loved ones anxiously awaited news.
SIT Formed, murder case registered
The Shillong police formed an SIT to investigate the case and registered a case of murder in the incident.
Tragically, on June 2, 2025, the community’s worst fears were confirmed. The body of Raja Raghuwanshi was discovered in a deep gorge near Weisawdong after a rigorous and exhaustive 10-day search operation. The search involved local police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Special Operations Team (SOT), and the West Jaintia Hills District Adventure Mountaineering Club. Police drones spotted the body below the Weisawdong Parking Lot at Riat Arliang at 11:48 AM. Due to the steep and inaccessible terrain, the body was taken to the above parking lot for a Magisterial Inquest, which was conducted by Smti Adiel R. Kynta, MCS, Executive Magistrate, Sohra, between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM.
The inquest was carried out in the presence of independent witnesses from the area. Relatives of the deceased identified the body as that of Raja Raghuwanshi through a distinctive tattoo on his right hand reading “Raja”. A lady's white shirt, a strip of Pentra 40, a part of an LCD screen of a Vivo mobile phone, and a smartwatch were seized from the wrist of the deceased at the spot.
The body has been sent to NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, for post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. Police are actively investigating the case, and at this stage, no possibilities, including foul play, have been ruled out.
Despite the discovery of Raja’s body, the whereabouts of his wife, Sonam Raghuwanshi, remain unknown. Rescue teams continue to comb the rugged terrain, still clinging to hope that they may locate her alive. The discovery of Raja’s body was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the police, who conducted an extensive search operation despite challenging weather conditions.
In a significant development, a case of murder is being registered, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to conduct the investigation. Police and rescue teams are still combing the dense forests and remote areas in hopes of locating Sonam and bringing closure to this devastating chapter.
The tragedy has deeply resonated across the city and beyond, with political leaders expressing their condolences. State Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya shared his sorrow on social media, saying, “The news of the tragic demise of Raja Raghuwanshi, a resident of Indore, is deeply saddening and heart-wrenching. After his recent marriage, he had gone on a trip to Osara Hills in Shillong with his wife, Sonam Raghuwanshi. As per media reports, his mortal remains have now been found. This news has brought immense sorrow. We pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to give strength to the bereaved family to bear this unbearable loss.”