In a statement addressed to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the families of Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi have publicly apologised for any harsh words directed at the Meghalaya government, police, or the state as a whole in the aftermath of Raja’s murder.
Govind Raghuvanshi, Sonam’s brother, acknowledged in a written message that “due to the families’ fears, shock and mental state,” some relatives and well-wishers may have “occasionally directed our anger towards the Meghalaya government, Meghalaya Police and Meghalaya Tourism, for which we now feel regret.”
The statement continued: “Upon calm reflection, it is our honest opinion that neither Meghalaya as a state is bad, nor is its government, police, tourism, or its ordinary Indian citizens. If, in our anxiety and anger, we said anything harsh, our intention was never to deliberately hurt anyone. Had things been normal, we would not have spoken ill of anyone…Our state of mind cannot be understood by those who have not paid such a heavy price. I and all of us regret that we sometimes crossed the line of decorum (Maryaada).”
Sonam stands accused of conspiring with her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha to hire three others to murder her husband Raja while the couple was in Meghalaya on their honeymoon.
Though media reports in Indore claimed the family had disowned Sonam and believed her guilty, Govind’s press statement leaves room for a different possibility. “Looking at the murder and the sequence of events, we feel that there could be more accused – this is a matter for investigation. This could also be a major conspiracy. It is possible that the mastermind is not yet visible,” he said.
Govind emphasised that the family supports the strictest punishment for the guilty – including his sister, if found culpable. However, he also urged that narco-analysis, polygraph, and brain mapping tests be conducted on all suspects to uncover the truth. “These tests should preferably be shown live to the public for full transparency,” he added.
He also appealed to the Meghalaya Police and government to ensure that Sonam’s dignity is maintained throughout the pre-trial process and that her constitutional rights are protected. He requested the media not to pronounce her guilty before a trial has taken place, and encouraged Sonam to speak the truth and cooperate with investigators.
Wedding Rushed Due to Auspicious Date
Providing further details, Govind clarified that no family pressure was exerted on Sonam and Raja to marry. However, he did reveal that the wedding was rushed slightly because May 11 – the date of their wedding – was the last auspicious date for the next three years. The couple were therefore “lovingly persuaded” to marry on that date.
Kushwaha Was Trusted, Seen as ‘Like a Brother’
Raj Kushwaha, the alleged lover and co-accused, had been a hardworking employee in the family’s business, Govind stated. While the Raghuvanshis belong to the Kshatriya caste, Kushwaha was from the Other Backward Caste (OBC) category. Despite the two being seen speaking together, the family had believed their relationship was strictly work-related and even viewed it as a “brother-sister relationship.”
Govind added that Kushwaha may have been “somewhat impressed” by the family’s wealth and could have developed aspirations connected to it.
Sonam Rang Govind from UP Before Arrest
Govind also confirmed that Sonam contacted him by phone from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on the night of June 8–9, at a time when Meghalaya authorities were still searching for her.
Following the brief call, Govind immediately alerted the Uttar Pradesh Police, who then took Sonam into protective custody. She was formally arrested later by the Meghalaya Police. Govind travelled to Ghazipur and met his sister for only a few minutes, later learning that she had been named a suspect in the murder.
The statement, while apologetic in tone, urges a transparent, lawful, and just process moving forward – with dignity preserved for all parties and a firm demand for truth.
Also Read: How a love triangle in Tripura ended with a chilling murder