NCW demands detailed probe into MP man Raja Raghuvanshi's death in Meghalaya; wife Sonam still missing, drones and dogs deployed in search

GUWAHATI: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has asked the director general of police in Meghalaya to expand the investigation into the alleged murder of Madhya Pradesh resident Raja Raghuvanshi and the disappearance of his wife Sonam during their honeymoon in the state.In a statement issued on Sunday, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar directed DGP I Nongrang to examine all possible leads and forensic evidence and to submit a detailed report to the Commission within three days. She also called for immediate arrest of the accused and urged the police to seek assistance from national agencies if necessary.The Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports about the couple, who went missing on May 23. Raja’s body was discovered on June 2 in a deep gorge in Sohrarim, near Cherrapunji. His wife Sonam remains untraceable, and search operations are still underway.Rahatkar also urged the Meghalaya Police to intensify efforts using drones, sniffer dogs, and specialised rescue teams.Raja and Sonam had married on May 11 and left Indore for a honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20. According to family members, they last spoke to the couple on the afternoon of May 23. By evening, their phones had been switched off.A local tourist guide told police he saw the couple on May 23 in the company of three men. The same guide had earlier offered his services to help them trek to Nongriat from Mawlakhiat, but the couple had declined. On the day they went missing, he reportedly saw them climbing over 3,000 steps from Nongriat to Mawlakhiat with the three unidentified men.Raja’s brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, who is currently in Shillong, has accused the Meghalaya government of not doing enough to trace Sonam. “We strongly believe Sonam is alive. They are searching for her like she is dead,” he said, urging the authorities to involve the CBI or other national agencies.Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma has assured that the government is “leaving no stone unturned” in the search. However, officials say the operation has been hampered by difficult terrain, torrential rainfall, and poor visibility due to dense fog.Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav posted on X that he had spoken to CM Sangma regarding the case. He said senior police officials from MP are in constant touch with their Meghalaya counterparts and that he has requested union home minister Amit Shah to order a CBI inquiry.“Every possible effort is being made for the safe return of Sonam Raghuvanshi,” he said.