The mysterious disappearance of a newlywed couple from Indore during their honeymoon in Meghalaya has taken a heartbreaking turn. After ten days of intense search operations, the body of 30-year-old Raja Raghuwanshi was recovered from a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls in Sohra, also known as Cherrapunji. His wife, Sonam Raghuwanshi, remains missing.
According to local officials, the couple had checked out of a homestay in Nongriat on the morning of May 23, accompanied by a local guide, but never reached Mawlakhiat village where they had parked their rented scooter. Their abandoned vehicle was discovered the following day, triggering fears of foul play and prompting the family to file a missing persons report.
Authorities used drones, sniffer dogs, and ground personnel to scour the area over the past week. The heavily decomposed body, spotted via aerial surveillance near the Riat Arliang parking zone, was retrieved by a rescue team on Monday. The deceased was positively identified by his brother, Vipin Raghuwanshi.
Raja’s Family Assumed a Possible Abduction of the Couple
Earlier, Raja’s brother Sachin Raghuwanshi had raised concerns about possible abduction, urging the deployment of central forces and alleging the involvement of local service providers such as hotel staff, guides, and scooter renters. The family had also claimed that the couple had no known disputes and were deeply in love, having tied the knot just 12 days before the tragedy struck.
Raja and Sonam had arrived in Meghalaya on May 22, three days after leaving Indore for their honeymoon. Their trip was meant to include visits to natural attractions like the Double Decker Root Bridge. Sadly, they went missing within 24 hours of beginning their sightseeing in the region.
Back in Indore, the news has cast a pall over the city. Friends, relatives, and well-wishers had been hoping for a miracle, but were left devastated after Monday’s developments. The family, which runs a transport business, has been receiving condolences from across the state.
MP Minister Expresses Deep Sorrow
Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya expressed sorrow over the loss, writing on social media: “The news of Raja Raghuwanshi’s death in Shillong is deeply disturbing. We pray for peace to his soul and strength to the grieving family.”
A judicial magistrate has been assigned to monitor the case as police continue their search for Sonam. Search efforts are still concentrated across rugged terrain around Sohra, Mawsahew, Wahkaliar, and Nongriat, with teams using advanced tools and resources from the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC).
Investigators are awaiting the results of the post-mortem to determine the cause and timing of Raja’s death. No foul play has been confirmed yet, but officials say all angles are being explored.
