New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday set aside the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya in May 2025. A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale allowed the appeal filed by the Meghalaya state government challenging her release, directing her to surrender before the police within three weeks.
The top court observed that allowing the accused to remain on bail at this stage could potentially hinder the ongoing trial proceedings. Addressing the defense contention regarding procedural irregularities during the arrest, the bench rejected claims that mandatory grounds had not been communicated, noting that a minor clerical or typographical error in arrest documentation does not invalidate the proceedings or justify bail in a serious crime. The court clarified that should the trial fail to proceed and conclude within six months, Raghuvanshi maintains the liberty to submit a fresh application for bail before the trial court.
The high-profile case stems from the disappearance of the couple while vacationing in the Sohra area of Meghalaya on May 23, 2025. Police subsequently recovered the body of the Indore-based businessman from a deep gorge on June 2, 2025. Investigators allege that Raghuvanshi conspired with hired assailants to execute the murder for financial gain, leading to her arrest in June 2025.
