The misty hills of Meghalaya, usually associated with natural beauty and calm, are now the backdrop of one of India’s most disturbing travel tragedies in recent memory. The death of Indore tourist Raja Raghuvanshi and the disappearance of his wife, Sonam, has spiraled into a high-profile murder mystery that’s getting murkier by the day.
The Last Message from the Hills
On May 23, 2025, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi — a newlywed couple — vanished without a trace while on their honeymoon in Meghalaya. That same day, Raja’s mother received a voice message from Sonam, breathless and tense, mentioning a trek to a waterfall and her determination to continue a religious fast. The recording ends abruptly — the last known contact.
Since then, Raja has been found dead in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls, and Sonam has disappeared without a single verifiable trace.
Cold Evidence in a Wet Land
A drone search spotted Raja’s body in a gorge on June 2, deep inside Meghalaya’s rugged terrain. Nearby were his belongings — medicine, a torn phone screen, and a smartwatch. Identification was confirmed via a tattoo on his hand. Police ruled out accidental death and registered a homicide case.
Adding to the mystery is the discovery of a black 3XL raincoat with suspicious stains. Forensics will determine if the stains are blood and whether the coat belonged to Sonam. A smashed mobile phone and a machete were also recovered from the area — both are now key pieces in the investigation.
The couple’s scooter was found in Sohrarim, 25 km from where the body was discovered, ignition still on. What happened in that gap? Why abandon a vehicle and hike through risky terrain during harsh weather?
Investigators Stumped
Despite intensive aerial and ground search operations involving multiple agencies, there’s no sign of Sonam. No blood trail. No belongings. No witnesses. It’s almost as if she vanished into thin air.
“We have found the body, we’ve searched the gorge, but there’s just no trace of the woman. It’s inexplicable,” said SP Vivek Syiem.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now been formed. Officers are exploring everything from possible third-party involvement to voluntary disappearance — though all evidence points to something darker.
Online Reactions and Speculation
Social media is flooded with speculation. Was it a robbery? A planned murder? Did Sonam fall victim too, or could she hold the key to what happened?
Armchair detectives are drawing parallels with famous missing persons cases, while others call for calm and patience, emphasizing the need for solid forensic results.
A Cautionary Tale for Travelers
This incident is a grim reminder that even the most picturesque travel destinations can carry hidden dangers. As tourism opens up further in remote areas, safety protocols, especially for trekkers and honeymooners unfamiliar with terrain, must be revisited by authorities and tour operators.
Waiting for Truth
For now, Raja’s family has only memories, a voice note, and an ocean of grief. For Sonam’s loved ones, there’s only hope — that she is found, alive or not, and that justice is done.
The forests of Meghalaya may be deep and quiet, but somewhere in those shadows, the truth waits to be found.
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