Indore tourist Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder in Meghalaya: ‘I did not die, I was killed’

Raja Raghuvanshi

A chilling poster outside an Indore home has turned a honeymoon tragedy into a national outcry, with the family of 29-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi demanding justice after his brutal killing in Meghalaya. The banner, bearing Raja and his wife Sonam’s photograph, declares in bold: “Raja’s soul calls out to the Centre and the state government, I did not die, I was killed. CBI should investigate.”

The couple, married just nine days earlier, had embarked on their honeymoon to Meghalaya on May 20. Three days later, they vanished near Sohra (Cherrapunji). Raja’s decomposed body was found in a gorge on June 3, bearing wounds from a sharp object, possibly a tree-cutting tool, as per the postmortem. Sonam remains missing and her family fears the worst, News18 reported.

What began as a suspected trekking accident has now spiralled into allegations of foul play. Raja’s elder brother, Sachin Raghuvanshi, told reporters in Indore, “This is a case of murder of my brother. I have only one demand from the government that the mystery should be unravelled by getting it investigated by the CBI." He added, “I have lost my brother, but I do not want to lose my sister-in-law. I have been demanding from the beginning that the Army’s help should be taken in the search operation," News18 quoted.

The family’s suspicions extend to local hotel staff, guides and even the scooter rental provider. “It cannot be a coincidence,” Sachin said, alleging a cover-up. His claims were echoed by Raja’s brother Vipin as quoted by TOI as saying, “Police start work at 10 am and are done by 4 pm. That’s the level of seriousness in such a critical matter.”

Sonam’s brother, Govind, accused authorities of focusing only on recovering a body rather than finding her alive. “She has been kidnapped. There have been similar past incidents, suppressed by locals,” he alleged. Recalling an unsettling encounter, Govind told TOI that a local warned them not to defame Meghalaya.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, however, assured that no stone is being left unturned. He described the killing of the honeymooning tourist as an "unprecedented" incident that has shocked the entire state, he told reporters. Over 150 sq km have been combed by NDRF, SDRF and local volunteers, though heavy rain and rugged terrain have hampered efforts.

Despite assurances, the families remain unconvinced. Vipin alleged police inaction in the first eight days, while Govind claimed the search was “not proactive.” East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem defended local cooperation, but the demand for a CBI probe grows louder.