Shillong, June 7: The search for 27-year-old Sonam Raghuvanshi, missing in Meghalaya’s Sohra-Cherrapunji region, remains ongoing, according to news agency sources. Her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found dead in a gorge earlier this month, days after the couple disappeared while on a honeymoon trip from Madhya Pradesh.
The couple had reportedly arrived in Meghalaya from Indore on May 20 and went missing three days later after renting a two-wheeler to explore local tourist areas. Raja’s body was recovered from a deep gorge near the Weisawdong Parking Lot in East Khasi Hills, after being spotted by a police drone, sources said.
Search teams, comprising the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local volunteers, mountaineers, and police officials, have been combing the area using drones and sniffer dogs. However, weather conditions and rough terrain continue to hamper the operation.
News agency reports quoted officials as saying that a raincoat with suspected bloodstains and a bloodied machete were recovered from nearby locations. Both items have been sent for forensic analysis.
As the search continues, Sonam’s family has raised the possibility that she may have been trafficked across the nearby international border into Bangladesh. “Given the porous border and the absence of any trace so far, we fear she might have been trafficked,” a family member told the press. They have demanded swift intervention from central authorities.
The Meghalaya Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a Superintendent of Police and supported by Deputy Superintendent-rank officers, to investigate the case. Police also confirmed that both mobile phones belonging to the couple have remained switched off since May 24.
Raja’s brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, has alleged foul play, citing the disappearance of his brother’s jewellery and wallet. “This doesn’t look accidental. We want a CBI inquiry,” he said, as reported by news agencies.
The case has attracted attention at the national level. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs have spoken with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. MPs Shankar Lalwani and Sumer Singh Solanki also visited Shillong to meet senior state officials and review the investigation.
CM Sangma stated, “We treat tourists as family. The entire community in Sohra is supporting the search effort. I am personally monitoring the case,” according to media reports.
Meanwhile, an undated and unverified audio clip, reportedly of a phone conversation between Sonam and her mother-in-law, has surfaced on social media and is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
