Several high-profile murder investigations involving spouses or romantic partners, including the Sonam Raghuvanshi and Muskan Rastogi cases, have sparked nationwide debate. While attracting intense media attention, each prosecution must ultimately be decided solely on legally admissible evidence presented before the courts.
Over the past two years, several criminal cases involving women accused of murdering their husbands or partners have dominated headlines across India. While crimes involving intimate partners are not new, these cases have attracted extraordinary public attention due to the alleged involvement of spouses or girlfriends, accusations of premeditated conspiracies with lovers, contract killings, and attempts to disguise the crimes as accidents or disappearances.
It is important to note that these are criminal allegations and, in most of these cases, the trials are still pending. Under Indian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. Nevertheless, these incidents have raised serious concerns about intimate partner violence, criminal conspiracies, misuse of trust within relationships, and the challenges faced by investigating agencies in solving such crimes.
Sonam Raghuvanshi Case (Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case)
Perhaps the most sensational of these cases is the Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case involving Sonam Raghuvanshi and her husband Raja Raghuvanshi.
The Indore-based couple got married on May 11, 2025, and travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. On May 23, they were last seen together after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village near Sohra. Their disappearance triggered an extensive search operation after their rented scooter was found abandoned.
On June 2, Raja Raghuvanshi’s body was recovered from a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls. The injuries on the body indicated that it was a case of homicide rather than an accident.
Initially treated as a missing person, Sonam was later traced to Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh and arrested. The Meghalaya Police alleged that she had conspired with her alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, and three hired assailants to murder Raja during the honeymoon. According to investigators, the murder had been planned before the marriage and executed during the trip.
The prosecution has relied upon CCTV footage, mobile phone records, digital evidence, witness statements, financial transactions, and forensic reports. Sonam has denied the allegations. Although she was granted bail on procedural grounds relating to her arrest, the criminal trial remains pending.
The trial in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case is yet to commence on merits. Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of conspiring to murder her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in May 2025, was granted bail by a Shillong court on procedural grounds relating to her arrest. The Meghalaya High Court subsequently upheld the bail order. On July 3, 2026, the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the High Court’s decision, allowing Sonam to remain on bail while the criminal trial proceeds. The prosecution has already filed its chargesheet against Sonam and the co-accused, and the case is pending before the trial court.
Meerut Blue Drum Murder Case
The Meerut Blue Drum Murder Case is one of the most sensational murder cases reported in India in 2025. The case revolves around the alleged murder of Saurabh Rajput, a former Merchant Navy officer, by his wife Muskan Rastogi and her alleged lover Sahil Shukla.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Police, Saurabh had returned to Meerut from London in March 2025 to celebrate his daughter’s birthday with his family. Investigators alleged that Muskan and Sahil had been in a relationship and wanted to continue their relationship without Saurabh. Police claimed that the duo hatched a conspiracy to eliminate him.
On March 4, 2025, Saurabh was allegedly drugged before being stabbed to death by the accused. After the murder, the body was allegedly dismembered into multiple pieces and sealed inside a blue plastic drum filled with cement in an attempt to conceal the crime and delay decomposition. Police alleged that the accused subsequently travelled to Himachal Pradesh to create an impression that Saurabh was alive and away from home.
The murder came to light after Saurabh’s family grew suspicious about his whereabouts. During the investigation, the police recovered the body from the cement-filled drum inside the couple’s house. The gruesome nature of the alleged crime led to nationwide outrage.
The Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla and booked them for offences including murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence. During the investigation, the police collected forensic evidence, CCTV footage, electronic records, and statements of witnesses. The forensic examination of the crime scene and the recovered body formed a significant part of the prosecution’s case.
The investigation has been completed, and the Uttar Pradesh Police have filed a chargesheet against Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla before the competent court. Both accused remain in judicial custody, and the case is presently pending before the trial court in Meerut. Charges are yet to be finally adjudicated, and the prosecution is expected to rely on forensic evidence, electronic records, and witness testimonies during the trial. The accused continue to enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by the court.
Ketan Agarwal Murder Case
Police have alleged that Ketan Agarwal was killed by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her alleged partner Chetan Babulal Chaudhary, who reportedly pushed him into a valley from Lohagad Fort in Maharashtra’s Sahyadri mountain range. Ketan was a director in his family firm, Success Group, one of Maharashtra’s biggest developers of warehouses. The accused are his fiancée, Siya Goyal, 20, and her alleged partner, Chetan Choudhary, 22. It is alleged that Siya did not want to marry Ketan because she was in a relationship with Chetan.
The incident was initially believed to be a tragic trekking accident, with reports suggesting that Ketan had accidentally fallen from the fort. However, investigators later claimed that the fall was not accidental and was part of a planned act.
According to the police investigation, Siya had repeatedly encouraged Ketan to visit Lohagad Fort. The couple had first visited the location on May 31. A few days later, on June 4, Siya allegedly insisted on making another trip to the fort, but Ketan’s mother reportedly refused to allow him to go.
On June 14, Siya allegedly convinced Ketan to accompany her to the fort again. During this visit, police claim that she attempted to push him from a cliff. Ketan reportedly managed to save himself by holding onto a nearby bush.
When Ketan questioned Siya about why she had pushed him, she allegedly told him that she had seen a snake and acted in an attempt to protect him.
Investigators allege that Ketan was later killed on June 18, leading to a murder probe after authorities examined the circumstances surrounding his death.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured Ketan Agarwal’s family that the alleged murder case would be heard in a fast-track court. He also supported appointing senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor and called the incident a disturbing social trend.
Atul Subhash Suicide Case
The Atul Subhash case came into national focus after the death by suicide of Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru, on December 9, 2024. Before his death, Atul left behind a 24-page suicide note and an 81-minute video, in which he accused his estranged wife Nikita Singhania, her family members, and others of harassment, financial extortion, and misuse of matrimonial proceedings. He also expressed frustration over multiple pending family court cases and alleged bias in the legal process.
Following the complaint lodged by Atul’s brother, the Bengaluru Police registered an FIR against Nikita Singhania, her mother, brother, and another relative for offences including abetment of suicide. The accused were subsequently arrested and later granted bail by the trial court. The case triggered nationwide debate on men’s mental health, alleged misuse of matrimonial laws, maintenance proceedings, and the need for reforms in family law.
Apart from the criminal investigation in Bengaluru, several matrimonial proceedings initiated before Atul’s death including cases relating to maintenance, domestic violence, and dowry allegations remain pending before courts in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. The litigation has also involved proceedings concerning the custody of the couple’s minor son. In January 2025, the Supreme Court directed that the child’s custody would continue with his mother, Nikita Singhania, while granting visitation rights to Atul’s family.
The criminal case registered by the Bengaluru Police for the alleged abetment of Atul Subhash’s suicide remains pending before the competent court. The accused are currently on bail. The trial has not yet concluded, and proceedings have witnessed adjournments. Parallel matrimonial proceedings concerning maintenance and related disputes also continue before the appropriate courts. The allegations made by Atul in his suicide note and video, as well as the defence put forward by the accused, are yet to be tested during the trial, and no finding of guilt has been recorded against any accused person.
Sangli Newlywed Murder Case
Another case that shocked Maharashtra involved a newly married couple in Sangli. According to police, a 27-year-old woman allegedly murdered her 54-year-old husband, Anil Tanaji Lokhande, with an axe barely three weeks after their marriage. The incident reportedly occurred during the Vat Purnima festival, traditionally celebrated by married women for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
The prosecution alleged that the woman attacked her husband while he was asleep, causing fatal injuries. Police arrested her shortly after the incident and initiated an investigation into the motive behind the crime. The case received widespread attention because of the short duration of the marriage and the stark contrast between the cultural significance of the festival and the alleged offence.
In the Sangli newlywed murder case, the 27-year-old woman accused of killing her husband, Anil Tanaji Lokhande, with an axe within weeks of their marriage remains in judicial custody. Maharashtra Police completed the primary investigation, recorded witness statements, and collected forensic evidence. The prosecution is proceeding with the case, and the trial is awaiting commencement before the competent sessions court.
Haryana YouTuber Murder Case
The murder of Haryana-based YouTuber Praveen also became a nationally discussed case. According to investigators, Praveen’s wife, Ravina Rao, who was known on social media, allegedly developed an intimate relationship with another man, Suresh Raghav. Police alleged that the two conspired to eliminate Praveen after disputes arising out of the relationship.
Investigators claimed that Praveen was strangled to death, after which his body was transported on a motorcycle and disposed of in a canal in an attempt to destroy evidence. The case drew public attention because of Ravina’s online presence and the alleged efforts to conceal the crime. Police relied on CCTV footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence during the investigation.
In the Haryana YouTuber murder case, Ravina Rao and her alleged lover, Suresh Raghav, continue to face prosecution for the alleged murder of Ravina’s husband, Praveen. The police have filed the chargesheet after relying on CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and witness statements. The accused remain before the trial court, where the prosecution is expected to lead evidence during the course of the criminal trial.
The police have filed the chargesheet after relying on CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and witness statements. The accused remain before the trial court, where the prosecution is expected to lead evidence during the course of the criminal trial.
Rajasthan Newlywed Murder Case
Another case that attracted considerable attention occurred in Rajasthan, where police alleged that a woman planned her husband’s murder only a few months after marriage.
According to investigators, the woman, Anju, allegedly conspired with her alleged lover and two other associates to kill her husband, Ashish. Police claimed that after committing the murder, the accused attempted to portray the incident as a road accident in order to avoid suspicion.
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However, inconsistencies during the investigation, along with forensic evidence and witness statements, reportedly exposed the alleged conspiracy, leading to the arrest of all accused persons.
The case was widely compared with the Meghalaya honeymoon murder because both involved newly married couples and allegations of conspiracy with alleged lovers.
The Rajasthan newlywed murder case is also under trial. The police have chargesheeted Anju, her alleged lover, and other co-accused for the alleged murder of her husband, Ashish, and for allegedly attempting to portray the crime as a road accident. Following the completion of the investigation, the accused are facing criminal proceedings before the sessions court, where the evidence will be examined during trial.
Common Patterns of These Cases and Legal Perspective
Although each investigation is distinct and the facts differ, several common features appear across these high-profile prosecutions. Many cases involve allegations of pre-planned criminal conspiracies rather than crimes committed in the heat of the moment. Investigators have frequently alleged that the accused acted with the assistance of alleged lovers, friends, or hired assailants.
Another recurring feature is the alleged attempt to destroy or conceal evidence. In several cases, police claimed that bodies were dumped in remote locations, murders were presented as accidents, or efforts were made to create false narratives of disappearance or kidnapping.
Digital evidence has also become central to modern criminal investigations. Mobile phone records, CCTV footage, GPS data, internet search history, financial transactions, social media activity, and forensic examination of electronic devices have played a significant role in reconstructing events and identifying suspects.
If the allegations in these cases are ultimately proved during trial, the accused may face prosecution under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
The principal charge is Section 103, which prescribes punishment for murder. Depending on the facts of each case, the prosecution may also invoke Section 61 relating to criminal conspiracy, Section 3(5) concerning acts committed by several persons in furtherance of a common intention, and Section 238, which deals with causing the disappearance of evidence of an offence or giving false information to screen an offender.
Where multiple persons are alleged to have participated in planning or executing the crime, investigators often rely upon conspiracy and common intention to establish collective criminal liability.
Conclusion
The Sonam Raghuvanshi, Muskan Rastogi, Atul Subhash, Sangli, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Pune cases have become some of the most talked-about criminal investigations in recent years because of the alleged involvement of spouses, fiancées, or romantic partners in carefully planned murders.
While these cases have generated widespread public debate, it is essential to distinguish media attention from broader crime trends. High-profile incidents often receive extensive coverage because of their unusual facts, but every criminal prosecution must ultimately be decided on the evidence presented before the court.
As these trials progress, they are expected to provide further judicial guidance on conspiracy, electronic evidence, forensic investigation, and the prosecution of intimate partner homicides under India’s evolving criminal justice framework.
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