Couples newly wedded stand accused of murdering partners, a shift in perspective as men become victims in a shocking turn of events within India.
Honeymoon Terror Unfolds in India: A Chilling New Trend
Modern India is grappling with a chilling, unparalleled trend - newlywed brides, allegedly colluding with their ex-lovers, plotting the brutal murders of their husbands, a development that's shattering traditional societal expectations. The latest sensational case involves Sonam Raghuvanshi, a 25-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, who was accused of conspiring her husband Raja Raghuvanshi's murder during their honeymoon.
This grisly affair has plunged the nation into shock and spirited widespread debate. Late last month, Raja's decomposed body was discovered after an extensive search in Meghalaya. Police suspect Sonam orchestrated the heinous act. Her father, adamantly denying the claims, demanded a federal investigation, questioning the veracity of authorities' allegations.
India has seen its fair share of horrifying headlines that underscore this disturbing pattern of husbands being murdered by their wives, often in tandem with former lovers. In March, 22-year-old Pragati, still in the fledgling stages of her arranged marriage in Uttar Pradesh, was accused of working with her boyfriend, Anurag, to arrange the cold-blooded killing of her husband, Dilip.
Similarly, in the same month, the gruesome remains of former merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput were discovered in Meerut, stuffed inside a cement-filled drum. Police alleged that his wife, Muskan, and her lover, Sahil Shukla, plied him with drugs before plunging the knife.
Examining the Underlying Issues
The escalating brutality of these crimes has legal experts and social analysts deliberating the root causes. Marital discord, extramarital affairs, financial pressures, and mental health issues are common factors driving these horrific acts. Unfortunately, indications suggest that this disturbing trend is on the rise.
In 2025 alone, several cold-blooded slayings were reported, with wives accused of murdering their husbands:
- A senior police official, Om Prakash, was killed by his wife in Bengaluru.
- A husband from Meerut was dismembered and hidden by his wife and her lover.
- Another man was suffocated by his wife in Bijnor.
- Additional cases of premeditated attacks shortly after marriage and during honeymoon trips surfaced[2][3][4].
While the media is fixated on these headline-grabbing cases of wives murdering husbands, the broader context in some regions, such as Chhattisgarh, remains grim: Over 115 days, 30 women were killed by their husbands, attesting to the persisting issue of domestic violence that affects both genders[1].
Justice Sought in the Courts
Indian law treats murder as a severe offense, warranting life imprisonment or the death penalty in extreme cases. Investigations into these alleged marital murders often scrutinize the women's collusion with hired killers, extramarital partners, and underlying motives such as jealousy or financial gain.
However, legal experts note that mental health issues and substance abuse often lie at the heart of these heinous crimes, necessitating a focus on mental health support and social interventions to curb such tragedies[4].
TheMeghalaya honeymoon murder case, in particular, has generated calls for fair investigations and federal inquiries, reflecting the ongoing national discourse about gender, violence, and responsibility[2][3]. Ultimately, it's a grim reminder that, even in the most sacred of commitments, some individuals are still prone to unspeakable acts of violence. Yet, the legal system and society must continue to work toward justice for all victims and a better future for generations to come.
Society is grappling with the escalating trend of marital murders in India, as shown by the recent cases of wives allegedly conspiring with ex-lovers to kill their husbands during their honeymoons. This trend has stirred debates in politics and general news, with policymakers, social analysts, and legal experts exploring the root causes, such as marital discord, extramarital affairs, financial pressures, and mental health issues. The Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, for instance, which involved Sonam Raghuvanshi conspiring her husband's murder, has sparked calls for fair investigations and federal inquiries, highlighting the need for improved justice in crime-and-justice matters.
