Shillong, June 7, 2025: The search for missing tourist Sonam Raghuvanshi, who vanished 15 days ago in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, has entered a critical phase as investigators intensify efforts to locate evidence and pursue leads amid growing suspicion of kidnapping.
Expanded Search Operations and Evidence Hunt
Authorities, aided by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police, have broadened their search to the Wei Sawdong region and surrounding routes, including the stretch from Laitduh to Mawkma and Mawmihthied. Teams are now not only scouring the gorge where Sonam’s husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was found murdered, but also combing nearby trails and viewpoints for any belongings or clues that could illuminate the circumstances of Sonam’s disappearance.
A significant development came with the recovery of a black raincoat bearing visible stains near a viewpoint in Mawkma village, a few kilometers from where Raja’s body was discovered. Forensic analysis is pending to determine if the stains are blood and whether the raincoat belonged to Sonam, but officials say it could prove a critical lead in the investigation.
ALSO READ: Meghalaya Tourism Minister Criticizes National Media for Biased Reporting on Indore Couple Case
Despite clear weather and the deployment of drones and special teams, the search has yet to yield any trace of Sonam or her personal items, such as her phone or bag. The 300-foot gorge’s hazardous terrain has hampered ground-level access, with the final 100 feet remaining inaccessible due to wet, slippery rocks and dense forest cover.
Last Seen with Three Other Tourists
Adding a new dimension to the case, a local guide reported that he saw Sonam and Raja trekking back from Nongriat village on May 23, accompanied by three unidentified male tourists. According to the guide, Raja was walking with the three men while Sonam trailed behind. This sighting marks the last known interaction with the couple before they vanished.
Authorities are now seeking information about these three individuals, as their identities and whereabouts remain unknown. The lack of CCTV coverage and poor infrastructure in the area has complicated efforts to trace movements in and out of Mawlakhiat village, where the couple’s rented scooter was parked and later found abandoned in Sohrarim.
Suspicions of Kidnapping and Family’s Plea
The lack of evidence at the scene where Raja’s body was found and the continued absence of Sonam have fueled suspicions of kidnapping. Sonam’s brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, speaking at the search site, expressed the family’s conviction that she may still be alive. “If she were dead, we should have found at least some clue by now. This raises the possibility that she has been kidnapped,” he told reporters, urging authorities not to give up hope and to change their approach to find her alive.
The family has also called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case, citing the absence of crucial evidence and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the couple’s disappearance.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Concern
Police have registered a murder case and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The recovery of a suspected murder weapon - a machete near the crime scene has further underscored the violent nature of the crime. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has assured the family and the public that the state government will “leave no stone unturned” to ensure justice and bring the perpetrators to account.
ALSO READ: Search for Missing Wife of Indore Tourist Raja Continues, No Breakthrough Yet
As the search for Sonam enters its third week, questions mount over the fate of the missing tourist and the identity of those last seen with the couple. The case has sent shockwaves through the region, with authorities and locals alike grappling with the unprecedented nature of the crime.
