A week after Raja’s body was recovered from a 250-foot gorge near Meghalaya’s Wei Sawdong waterfall, police arrested Sonam, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and two other men. But troubling questions remain, and silence around key aspects of the probe has fuelled speculation, complicating an investigation that has gripped the nation.
Police say Sonam shared her live location with Raj and the other accused on the day she and Raja disappeared. Investigators believe it was a deliberate act, though they haven’t explained how it fits into the conspiracy. Some media reports speculate it may have served as a signal or location confirmation, while others question whether she acted under pressure. With no official clarification, theories persist.
There’s ambiguity over who exactly reached the crime scene. Call detail records place the accused near the Nongriat trek route, not far from where Raja’s body was later found. But police haven’t confirmed whether all three men reached the gorge or coordinated from nearby. One suspect may have returned to Shillong earlier, but this remains unverified.
Another unresolved question is whether Sonam arranged travel and accommodation for the accused. She had booked the couple’s entire honeymoon—flights, hotels, taxis—but it’s unclear if she managed logistics for the others too. If confirmed, it could suggest a higher level of planning.
Raja and Sonam were reported missing together on May 23 while on their honeymoon. His body was found on June 2 in the gorge. Sonam, however, remained untraceable for over two weeks. She resurfaced in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 9. While her lawyer claims she surrendered, police say she was apprehended after sustained surveillance. Her extended disappearance has raised questions—was she weighing options, or being shielded?
The post-mortem confirmed Raja died of blunt force trauma. Police later recovered a sharp-edged weapon—reportedly a local machete or dao—from the site. However, whether Raja was attacked before being pushed or fell while still alive remains unaddressed.
The financial aspect has also raised eyebrows. Police say Raj and co-accused Vishal confessed they were promised Rs 50,000 to carry out the murder. Given the risk, some media outlets have speculated the amount might be symbolic—or part of a larger undisclosed sum. Investigators haven’t elaborated.
Authorities recovered Sonam’s phone, but its contents remain undisclosed. Was the crime planned via messages or documented in any form? These digital clues may prove crucial but are yet to be revealed.
Speculative reports in regional media suggest the Enforcement Directorate could be looking into possible hawala transactions involving Sonam’s brother, Govind Raghuwanshi, and family businesses in Indore and Gujarat. One unverified theory claims Raj Kushwaha’s seized phone contained images of currency notes used as codes—hinting at possible illicit financial activity. None of these claims have been confirmed.
Raja’s family has expressed deep mistrust in the investigation and is demanding a CBI probe. They allege that police are protecting certain individuals, including Anand Kurmi, whom some reports have identified as Sonam's cousin.
Police however rubbished the reports saying Kurmi was arrested with the rest of the accused on June 9.
Adding another layer to the mystery are unconfirmed reports that Raj Kushwaha’s mother has remained in contact with Sonam’s family. Police have made no public statement on the matter.
As speculation mounts and authorities remain tight-lipped, a case that began as a romantic getaway has turned into a national puzzle, marred by silence and suspicion.