Mystery Surrounds Disappearance of Newlywed Couple in Meghalaya

Recent events involving a newlywed couple from Indore have raised concerns about travel safety in Northeast India. Raja Raghuwanshi's body was discovered after extensive searches, but his wife, Sonam, remains missing. Earlier this year, a Hungarian tourist, Puskas Zolt, also vanished shortly after starting a trek, with his body found twelve days later. The couple from Indore arrived in Mawlynnong village on May 22, having rented a scooter. They descended over 3,000 steps to view the famous root bridges in Nongriat village. After spending the night there, they left their homestay the following morning. On May 24, their scooter was found abandoned outside a café along the road from Shillong to Sohra.

Footage circulating on social media shows a white shirt belonging to the bride stuck on rocks in a deep gorge at We Sohdong in Cherrapunji, drenched by continuous rain. Nearby lay her husband's body, adorned with a smartwatch. This location has become the focus of a special investigation team (SIT) from Meghalaya police, working to unravel the mystery surrounding the couple's disappearance.

Raja Raghuwanshi, 28, who ran a transport business in Indore, had meticulously planned this honeymoon trip months in advance. A reserved young man from the middle-class Palasia area, he aimed to show his wife Sonam the renowned 'living root bridges' of Meghalaya, which have gained immense popularity among newlyweds on social media platforms like Instagram.

Raja's family describes him as someone who always planned meticulously and never ventured into unknown places without preparation. Sonam's sister, Priyanshi Jain, mentioned that their marriage was arranged but mutually agreed upon by both families. According to family members, Sonam regularly called her mother-in-law, Uma, and maintained her fast during the trip. In her last conversation, Sonam expressed excitement about the new city, mentioning the challenging climb they undertook. This audio recording now serves as the last trace of her.

A clip of a phone conversation between Sonam and her mother-in-law has surfaced on social media. In this undated clip, Sonam expresses discomfort about the steep climb, while her mother-in-law encourages her to keep her fast. Sonam described the area they were in, stating, 'We are in a dense forest, nothing is available here. The climb is steep. I told him not to go, but he never listens. I'm exhausted. The food here isn't good, and it's hard to breathe while walking.' This conversation reportedly took place on May 23, just a day after they arrived in Meghalaya.

Raja's brother, Vipin, reported that their phone went silent, prompting them to travel to Meghalaya after waiting a few days. They contacted local police to initiate a search. Raja's brothers and Sonam's brother, Govind, scoured the hills, but poor weather hampered the police's efforts. Reports indicate that the first clue came from the GPS tracker of the rented scooter, revealing their direction towards We Sohdong. Raja had also hired a local guide to show them the famous double-decker root bridge.

It was reported that Raja made his last call at 1:43 PM, stating he had tried local coffee but didn't like it and was now eating bananas. His rented scooter was found abandoned 25 kilometers away from his body, with the keys still in the ignition, suggesting they intended to return soon. Two bags were also discovered near the scooter. Priyanshi speculated that they might have left their bags behind to take a final photo.

According to Additional Deputy Commissioner Mark A. Challam, the search team discovered Raja's body in a gorge beneath the We Sohdong parking area on June 2 at 11:48 AM. The recovery was as challenging as the search due to the treacherous terrain. Raja was identified by a tattoo on his right arm. Evidence found at the scene included a woman's white shirt, a strip of Pentra 40 tablets, fragments of a Vivo mobile screen, and Raja's smartwatch.

The post-mortem report confirmed that Raja had been murdered, struck multiple times with a heavy object. The police superintendent of East Khasi Hills, Vivek Siem, stated that a 'dao' (a local cutting tool) was used in the murder. He confirmed that this is a homicide case, and they are investigating the motive behind it. The family alleges that Raja's wallet, gold chain, diamond bracelet, and ring are missing. They suspect three individuals: the guide who left them alone, a local restaurant owner with whom Raja had a dispute, and the scooter rental person who failed to inform the police. The family has demanded a CBI investigation into the matter.

Meghalaya's Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma assured that the government would do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of Raja Raghuwanshi's murder to justice. He stated, 'We will ensure that those responsible for this incident are brought to justice.' The family has requested a CBI investigation, to which Sangma responded that the government would make an appropriate decision regarding this matter. He emphasized the importance of uncovering all facts related to the incident to reveal the truth.

Meanwhile, Raja Raghuwanshi's body was returned to his hometown in Indore. During his funeral, family members reiterated their demand for a CBI investigation, warning that if their request is not met, they would be compelled to protest. As Raja's body was brought home, the atmosphere shifted from the joy of a recent wedding to one of mourning. The family displayed a large banner outside their home demanding a CBI inquiry, stating, 'I am not dead; I was murdered. Investigate with CBI.' The banner featured wedding photos of Raja and his missing wife, Sonam. Mourners chanted, 'We want justice, we want a CBI inquiry.'

According to Meghalaya officials, Raja and Sonam went missing just hours after leaving their homestay in Nongriat village on May 23. Authorities confirmed that Raja's body was found 20 kilometers from where they disappeared. The Meghalaya police have registered a murder case and initiated an investigation through a special investigation team (SIT). The couple had reached Mawlynnong village on May 22, renting a scooter to explore the area.

Additionally, Meghalaya police recovered a blood-stained sharp weapon, a 'dao,' believed to have been used in Raja's murder. They also found a raincoat a few kilometers from the gorge where Raja's body was discovered, which is suspected to belong to the couple. The search for Sonam continues, with the National Disaster Response Force actively involved. Police believe that the raincoat may provide further clues in the investigation, utilizing drones, search dogs, and mountaineers in their efforts.