SHILLONG, June 12, 2025: In a chilling twist to the Sohra honeymoon murder case that has sent shockwaves across the region, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Eastern Range, Meghalaya Police, Davis Marak, revealed today that Sonam Raghuvanshi has confessed to being part of the conspiracy that led to the brutal killing of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi. However, the investigation continues to probe deeper, as the question of who masterminded the murder remains unresolved, with mutual accusations flying between the prime accused.
“Yes, she has confessed that she’s a part of the conspiracy, but the question of about as to who is the mastermind—that needs to be established, because she is blaming Raj, whereas Raj is putting the blame on Sonam,” DIG Marak told reporters during a detailed press briefing.
Shedding light on the investigative process, he confirmed that the police would soon undertake the crime scene recreation in Sohra, but only after all contradictions in the statements of the accused have been resolved.
“Yes, we will take them to Sohra, after we have completed our interrogation because during the interrogation we need to establish the facts where and the inconsistencies in the statements of different accused persons has to be ironed out. And once there is clarity in the statements of all the accused persons, then we are be taking them to different places for recreation of the crime scene.”
When asked about reports suggesting that ₹20 lakhs were promised to the contract killers, Marak said, “That is under investigation and this is what we are asking the accused persons at this stage. So at this stage I will not be able to confirm that.”
He further elaborated that all monetary transactions and claims made during interrogation will be scrutinized thoroughly before any conclusion is drawn.
“We are establishing the fact through interrogation and we will be also based on their statements, will be verifying whatever she says and then we only will be able to say how much or what kind of transaction have taken place.”
DIG Marak also confirmed that three scooties were rented by the accused, two of which were hired by the contract killers from Shillong, while the third was taken on rent by Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi.
“We have got reports that they have hired scootys and this is been confirmed. Total three scooties were hired.”
Providing a timeline of the accused’s movements, he said, “It appears halfway till Mawkdok, she went along the other accused persons and from Makadok, the contract killers they went ahead and Sonam from there proceeded to Guwahati and then thereafter to Indore.”
He also revealed that the scooty used by Raja and Sonam was found abandoned at Sohra Rim.
“Scooty was abandoned at Sohra rim, it must be either contract killers or Sonam herself because at that point of time there were three scooties and it appears they were together at that point of time and the scooty (in which Raja and Sonam travels) was abandoned at Sohra rim with the key of the scooty and thereafter Sonam got into one of the scooties with the killer.”
According to Marak, the killers and the couple reached Sohra around the same time and police have since recovered the scooties used in the crime.
“All the persons who are directly involved in the killing of Raja have been arrested. If there are any more accused persons that we will establish due the course of investigation.”
Recalling the early days of the investigation, he said the police initially treated the case as a disappearance with possible links to accident, robbery, or even murder.
“Initially when the report came to us of this missing couple we were not sure what was the circumstances and under circumstances they have gone missing, so we thought maybe it could have been an accident, robbery or murder so we were not ruling out anything at that point of time.”
A major breakthrough came when police recovered the couple’s luggage from a homestay in Sohra, which contained items that raised serious doubts.
“Later from one of the home stays in Sohra we recovered the suitcases of missing couple. Surprisingly in the suitcase we found the Mangalsutra and one ring, so we were surprised because usually we do not expect the newly wedded couple, specially the woman, take off her Mangalsutra and go roaming and that was where we expanded our investigation.”
This clue prompted investigators to begin considering Sonam’s possible involvement in the murder plot.
“We also included the possibility of Sonam being a part of some sought of criminal activity on the part of Sonam and that is how we proceed with the total investigation.”
DIG Marak added that multiple red flags emerged during the initial stages, including the absence of social media activity typical of a honeymoon trip.
“It was one of the red flag, in the sense that there were certain inconsistencies in the facts that were before the police at that point of time. Like for instance, we have recovered the body, we have recovered the murder weapon, but the girl was missing, there was a case of this Mangalsutra. There were also cases like for instance a newly married couple has come to Sohra for honeymoon and there was nothing posted on the social media, no photographs taken of the couple and all that so these were the red flag for the police to investigate the angle that is probably an inside job.”
He concluded by stating that support from multiple state police departments will be sought as the investigation proceeds.
“We will be seeking assistance from Guwahati police also and all other state police—wherever assistance is required we will be seeking.”
