The mother of Raja Raghuvanshi, the Indore businessman allegedly murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, has demanded the death penalty for her daughter-in-law, Sonam Raghuvanshi, if she is found guilty of plotting his killing.
Uma Raghuvanshi, Raja’s grieving mother, was quoted as telling India Today TV that her son was "forced" into the trip and called the murder "well-planned." "We had no clue our son would return in this condition. My son had told me that Sonam booked the flight tickets without informing anyone and forced him to go," she said, breaking down.
Speaking to ANI, Uma added, "If Sonam is involved, she should be hanged... I want the three men caught to be interrogated." However, she also recalled Sonam’s seemingly affectionate behaviour, saying, "Sonam had good behaviour; she used to hug me."
Raja and Sonam, both from Indore, went missing during their honeymoon in Meghalaya’s Sohra on May 23. Raja’s body was later recovered from a gorge on June 2. Meghalaya Police allege that Sonam conspired with her purported lover, Raj Kushwaha and hired contract killers from Madhya Pradesh to murder her husband.
Sonam was found near a dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway on Monday, according to Uttar Pradesh Police. Raja’s brother, Sachin Raghuvanshi, thanking the Meghalaya Police and the CM for their investigation and help, told ANI, "Sonam herself will reveal what happened... If she is found involved, then we will demand strict action."
Meanwhile, Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, reportedly reacted strongly after her arrest, accusing the Shillong police of mishandling the case. He alleged collusion between local authorities and unidentified individuals, claiming the narrative being built around his daughter was based on falsehoods.
“The marriage was completely consensual. I took a phone call from a dhaba in Ghazipur and spoke to Govind, but now I am not able to talk to my daughter and the police there are making false claims,” Devi Singh was quoted as telling reporters.
Uma Raghuvanshi also raised suspicions about the trip, revealing that Sonam had booked the tickets and extended the stay in Shillong, a place Raja was unfamiliar with. She recalled warning her son after noticing he wore a chain at Sonam’s insistence. "I sensed danger... There might be some planning," she said.
The case has sparked outrage, with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma assuring a thorough investigation. As police piece together the alleged conspiracy, the victim’s family awaits justice, while Sonam’s parents insist she is being framed.
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