Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday assured that the state government will pursue all necessary steps to ensure justice in the killing of Raja Raghuvanshi, a tourist from Indore whose body was discovered days after he went missing in Sohra.
“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” Sangma told reporters, responding to mounting concern over the incident that has shocked both locals and the tourism industry.
Raghuvanshi, 29, and his wife, Sonam, were reported missing on May 23, shortly after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village—famous for its living root bridges.
His body was recovered on Monday from a deep gorge approximately 20 km from the village, while a search operation is ongoing to locate his missing wife.
The chief minister said the government is actively examining the case and will take “appropriate decisions” in response to the family’s demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
“It’s important we uncover the full truth. Right now, many details remain unclear. There are still missing links. Once more facts emerge, we will decide the appropriate course of action,” Sangma said.
He also assured the Raghuvanshi family that authorities are working tirelessly to find Sonam, expressing hope for a breakthrough in the search.
Calling the incident “deeply unfortunate and unprecedented,” Sangma acknowledged the shock and concern felt across the state.
“This is something we’ve never seen before in Meghalaya. The local community and the tourism stakeholders are just as disturbed as the family,” he stated.
Reaffirming Meghalaya’s long-standing reputation as a safe and tourist-friendly destination, the chief minister highlighted that lakhs of visitors have travelled to the state in recent years without incident.
“This is highly unusual for us. Meghalaya has always welcomed tourists with warmth and ensured their safety,” he added.
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Offering his condolences to the victim’s family, Sangma said, “I understand the depth of their grief. We are doing everything possible to uncover what happened and bring the facts to light.”
According to reports, the couple had arrived in Mawlakhiat village on May 22 on a rented scooter.
After parking the vehicle, they trekked nearly 3,000 steps down to Nongriat village to visit the iconic living root bridges.
They left their homestay the following morning, and their scooter was later found abandoned on May 24 near a roadside café along the Shillong–Sohra route.
