Wife’s Deadly Secret: ‘Sanjay Verma’ Identified as Lover Behind Husband’s Murder in Meghalaya

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A picture-perfect honeymoon ended in cold-blooded murder, shaking the conscience of an entire nation. The mysterious death of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during a romantic trip to Meghalaya has now been exposed as a premeditated killing. At the center of this sinister crime is his own wife, Sonam, and her secret lover, Raj Kushwaha—who used the alias “Sanjay Verma” to stay hidden in plain sight.

A Honeymoon with Ulterior Motives

Raja and Sonam were married on May 11, 2025, in Indore. Less than two weeks later, they traveled to Meghalaya to celebrate their honeymoon, checking into a homestay in Nongriat village on May 22. Nestled in the scenic East Khasi Hills, the region is popular among nature-loving couples, but for Raja, it became a deadly trap.

By May 24, Raja had vanished. After a 10-day search, his body was found in a deep gorge near Wei-Sawdong Falls, partially decomposed and riddled with signs of trauma. Initial reports labeled it an accident, but investigators soon uncovered chilling evidence that told a different story.

The Mysterious “Sanjay Verma”

The first breakthrough came from Sonam’s mobile phone records. Police uncovered over 200 calls to a man saved as “Sanjay Verma.” These calls spanned weeks before and even during the honeymoon. The duration and frequency raised immediate red flags.

Further investigation revealed that “Sanjay Verma” was an alias for Raj Kushwaha, a 24-year-old worker in Sonam’s brother’s plywood business. More than just a colleague, Raj was Sonam’s lover. The two had reportedly been in a relationship even before Sonam’s arranged marriage to Raja.

Police allege that Raj and Sonam plotted the murder together, seeing the honeymoon as the ideal opportunity—far from prying eyes, among unfamiliar terrain.

The Killers Join the Trek

On May 23, a local guide spotted the couple trekking with three unknown men who spoke Hindi—an unusual occurrence in the Khasi-speaking region. These men, now identified as Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Patel, were allegedly hired hitmen, recruited by Raj to execute the murder.

Raja was reportedly led toward the gorge, then struck with a blunt weapon and pushed over the cliff. A blood-stained “dao” (a machete-type local weapon) was later recovered from the area. Forensic teams confirmed it as the murder weapon.

The Aftermath and Cover-Up

While Raja’s body lay at the bottom of the falls, Sonam calmly returned to her homestay, left behind her belongings—including her mangalsutra and a ring—and vanished. She traveled back to Uttar Pradesh and remained underground for several days.

Meanwhile, the investigation escalated. CCTV footage from a fuel station on May 22 showed the couple en route to their trek. Sonam’s white shirt, seen in the footage, was later recovered near Raja’s body—further placing her at the crime scene.

On June 9, Sonam was found at a roadside eatery in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Before surrendering, she made a short video claiming she was innocent. Police, however, state she confessed during interrogation, admitting that she was present during the murder and had coordinated it with her lover.

Raj and the three hired killers were arrested in Madhya Pradesh. During questioning, all four reportedly admitted to their roles, providing details that matched the timeline, evidence, and witness statements.

Families at War

The tragedy has divided two families. Raja’s mother has called for the death penalty for everyone involved, stating her son was “butchered by the woman he loved.” Sonam’s family, in contrast, believes she is being used as a scapegoat. They claim she was manipulated by Raj and coerced into confessing under pressure.

Broader Concerns and Legal Action

The case has sparked conversations about trust in arranged marriages and the dark side of modern relationships. Legal analysts are already calling this one of the most disturbing cases of spousal betrayal in recent years.

The accused have been placed in judicial custody in Shillong. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is working on compiling a detailed charge sheet. The trial is expected to commence within weeks.

For now, what remains is a community mourning a young man lost to a conspiracy too sinister to imagine—and a country grappling with how love and trust were twisted into tools of murder.