Shillong, June 8, 2025 — A new eyewitness account from a local tour guide has shed further light on the disappearance and suspected homicide of an Indore couple during their Meghalaya honeymoon.
🧭 The Guide's Observation
According to guide Albert Pde, he saw four men motioning ahead of newlyweds Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi on the morning of May 23 as they trekked more than 3,000 steps to Mawlakhiat.
“The four men were walking ahead while the woman was behind. The four men were conversing in Hindi, but I could not understand what they were speaking as I know only Khasi and English,” Pde informed PTI (hindustantimes.com).
He also recalled they had declined his guiding services the day before and hired another local guide, Bha Wansai.
🚨 Timeline of Events
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May 22: The couple stayed overnight at a homestay in Nongriat after reaching there via rented scooter.
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May 23: They checked out and navigated the trek back alone; by mid-morning, the guide noticed four men accompanying them.
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Their scooter was later found abandoned with keys attached in Sohrarim, several kilometres away (hindustantimes.com, opindia.com).
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June 2: A drone team discovered Raja's decomposed body in a gorge at Wei Sawdong Falls. A blood-stained machete (dao) believed to be the murder weapon was retrieved, and Raja's gold ring and chain were missing (deccanherald.com).
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Sonam remains missing, and her last known items include a potentially blood-stained raincoat and shirt (thehawk.in).
👮 Investigation Underway
A high-priority Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by the East Khasi Hills SP and including four DSPs, is handling the case (thehawk.in). Search efforts—with the help of NDRF, SDRF, sniffer dogs, drones, and trained mountaineers—continue in challenging terrain marked by heavy rain and fog (hindustantimes.com).
Additionally, the National Commission for Women has urged Meghalaya’s DGP for intensified search, including forensic analysis and possible CBI involvement, to trace Sonam and identify suspects (thehawk.in).
📣 Family Seeks Answers
Sonam’s brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, criticized the state’s efforts, claiming:
“We strongly believe Sonam is alive. They are searching for her like she is dead,”
and has appealed for a CBI-led probe (hindustantimes.com).
🕵️ Continuing the Hunt
Authorities continue scouring gorges and villages along the Sohra–Nongriat route, tracing possible escape paths and confirming whether the four men seen might be key suspects. Meanwhile, forensic teams examine recovered items—including the raincoat, machete, and scooter—for clues (thehawk.in).
Disclaimer: This article is based on statements from local witnesses, official police briefings, and ongoing investigations. Situational updates may develop as inquiries deepen. Readers should monitor authoritative news outlets and official sources for comprehensive coverage.
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