Supreme Court Cancels Bail for Prime Accused in Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case
The Supreme Court of India has set aside the bail previously granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. A bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale directed Sonam to surrender within three weeks.
Sonam was arrested on June 9, 2025, after allegedly remaining untraceable following her husband’s death. According to the prosecution, she travelled with Raja to Meghalaya after their marriage, where he was allegedly murdered and his body thrown into a gorge with the help of three accomplices she had hired.
The legal controversy that initially won her freedom centered around a technicality. The trial court and the High Court had granted her bail because her arrest grounds incorrectly cited Section 403(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita instead of the correct Section 103(1).
However, the Supreme Court rejected this reasoning, stating there is a clear distinction between a complete failure to serve arrest grounds and simply providing inadequate particulars. The apex court noted that Sonam had actually acknowledged receiving the arrest documents and had even expressed her satisfaction regarding the reasons behind her arrest before a Magistrate.
While cancelling the bail to prevent any hindrance to the ongoing trial, the Supreme Court ruled that if the trial is not concluded within six months, Sonam will have the liberty to file a fresh bail application.
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