Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuwanshi, broke down repeatedly during the ceremony, recalling her son’s wedding and the music that once filled the house. “Whenever I hear wedding bands, it feels like Raja’s baraat is passing by,” she said, adding that the family had kept his room untouched since the murder.
The family prepared Raja’s favourite dishes, including gulab jamun and paneer curry, before offering prayers for his peace. His parents and brother Vipin performed the oblations as the priest recited traditional mantras.
Uma accused Raja’s wife, Sonam, of betraying the family and being responsible for his death. “If I had not married him to Sonam, he would still be here,” she said, urging the authorities to deliver strict punishment to those accused.
Vipin, who returned from Shillong to attend the ceremony, said he had yet to complete his full statement before Meghalaya police but hoped the court would impose life imprisonment or the death penalty on the culprits. “Nothing less will be justice,” he said.
Raja, who married Sonam on May 11 this year, went missing during their honeymoon in Shillong on May 23. Ten days later, his mutilated body was recovered from a 30-foot ravine, bearing multiple stab wounds. Investigators alleged that Sonam, who later surrendered in Uttar Pradesh, conspired with her lover Raj Kushwaha and three others—Akash, Anand and Vishal—to kill him.
All five accused are currently in judicial custody. The family says it will continue to pursue the case until those responsible receive the maximum punishment under law.
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