When WhatsApp Turned Deadly: Real Stories of Love, Lies, and Murder in India

A Crime Diaries Exclusive | June 2025

It was just another evening. Notifications buzzed, chats pinged, and the familiar green icon of WhatsApp lit up countless phones across India. Somewhere, a couple planned their honeymoon. In another corner, the two lovers argued quietly in a hotel room. And in a small town, a man stared at his family before taking a step he never undo.

No one imagined that an app meant for sharing love, jokes, and good mornings would become a silent witness. It bore witness to some of India’s darkest crimes. But in these true stories, WhatsApp wasn’t just a chat app it became the scene of the crime.

These aren’t stories from movies. They happened and they happened quietly, behind locked screens and unread messages. By the time the world noticed, lives had been lost. The truth was hidden behind deleted chats. Shocking status updates concealed the reality.

Real WhatsApp Crime Stories from India

1. The Honeymoon Murder in Meghalaya (May–June 2025)

In May 2025, Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi from Indore left for their honeymoon in Meghalaya. They married on May 11, then departed on May 20. By May 23, both had disappeared while trekking near Sohra (Cherrapunji). Raja’s decomposed body was later found in a gorge on June 2, his throat slit and valuables missing.

After days of searching, Sonam surrendered at a restaurant in Ghazipur, U.P., on June 8. A Special Investigation Team uncovered a chilling WhatsApp trail. Sonam allegedly orchestrated the murder with her lover Raj Kushwaha. They used contract killers for the crime. They paid around ₹50,000 to hire four men and planned the crime over chat, sharing live details and location scans.

On June 10, all five accused (Sonam, lover, and killers) were remanded in Shillong court. Sonam’s elder brother publicly supported Raja’s family and broke ties with her, saying, “100 % sure she did it”. This wasn’t just a honeymoon gone wrong it was a romance turned contract killing, plotted and executed through WhatsApp.

2. A Body Posted as Status: Murder in Chennai (Dec 2023)

In December 2023, 20-year-old nursing student Fousia checked into a hotel room with her boyfriend Ashiq in Chromepet, Chennai. Both are from Kerala. The couple had been in a secret romantic relationship since school. They had a child, who was later given up for adoption.

That night, they argued, and she accused him of infidelity. He strangled her to death and then posted a photo of her body as his WhatsApp status. Friends and hostel mates, shocked by the sight, immediately contacted the police. Officers arrived within minutes, found the body, and arrested Ashiq using hotel CCTV footage.

In a desperate attempt to hide evidence, Ashiq tried erasing chat logs and deleting files. But WhatsApp had already exposed him. In this case, a status became a crime broadcast and the app turned from tool to trap.

3. Family Murder Broadcast in Etawah, UP (Nov 2024)

In November 2024, a jeweler named Mukesh Verma from Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly poisoned his wife Rekha and their three children, aged 22, 17, and 12. After committing the murders, he posted photos of their bodies as his WhatsApp status. Then, he went to a railway station and tried to end his life by jumping in front of a train.

RPF jawans rescued him in time. His family, alarmed by the graphic status updates, rushed to the house and found the bodies before police arrived.

Mukesh later admitted to the police that he had acted in a fit of depression caused by a family dispute. In his twisted mind, WhatsApp became the stage for crime and confession.

Why WhatsApp Is Being Used for Violence

These stories share a frightening common thread:

1. Always-On Access: With 500 million users in India, WhatsApp is our digital heartbeat. Emotions spark jealousy, rage, and panic spread instantly through message notifications and read receipts.
2. Digital Crime Showrooms: Posting a gruesome photo on status isn’t just sharing. It’s a public confession. It creates a digital crime scene, incubating shock and sparking outrage.
3. Legal Proof: India’s Evidence Act (Section 65B) treats WhatsApp messages and statuses as admissible evidence. Screenshots, backups, and metadata can all serve as proof in court.
4. Privacy Illusion: Deleting chats doesn’t mean erasure. Forensic tools and cloud backups often recover messages and media long after they’re deleted.

Real People, Real Pain

These crimes weren’t committed by shadowy figures they involved spouses, lovers, and parents. For families, the heartbreak is personal and permanent. They saw murder unfold not in whispers, but in digital records evidence their loved ones were betrayed, manipulated, and harmed.

What if someone close to you was behind a murder one you only discover through chat threads? What if the victim’s final moments showed up as a status? Or worse, you woke up to see your own children’s dead bodies on someone’s phone? This isn’t fiction. It’s our terrifying reality.

How to Stay Safe in a Digital World

• Pause before posting: If a message or emotion feels intense take a breath. Words typed in anger can echo for life.
• React to violence: Even one disturbing status is a warning sign. Don’t ignore it report it or seek help.
• Talk it out: Mental health matters. If you feel hurt or overwhelmed, reach out to friends, family, or professionals.
• Keep data safe: Back up your messages securely, and know how to preserve chats if needed for safety or evidence.

Final Word

WhatsApp is a powerful tool for love and connection, yes but it can also be used for premeditated crimes and emotional devastation. These real cases show how ordinary messages can fuel unforgivable acts. In a world where screens start wars, we must stay alert, empathetic, and ready to act.

Sources

• Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: New York Post, Times of India, Economic Times, Wikipedia
• Chennai Hotel Murder: Asianet Newsable, Reddit eyewitnesses
• Etawah Family Murder: Hindustan Times, Times of India, The Tribune, PTI via ThePrint, NewsDrum

Disclaimer

This article is meant for public awareness and safety. All names and details are taken from credible media reports. It’s not intended to sensationalize tragedy or blame any technology. If you or someone you know is facing harassment or harmful messages, please seek help from authorities or trusted support systems.