The Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, one of the key accused in the sensational murder of her husband, Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. The apex court directed Sonam to surrender before the authorities within three weeks while allowing her the liberty to seek fresh bail after six months if the trial is not concluded within a reasonable time.
The order came on a petition filed by the Meghalaya government challenging the bail granted to Sonam by a Shillong court on April 28. The state argued that the High Court had erred in granting bail in a case involving a serious charge of conspiracy and murder.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for Sonam Raghuvanshi contended that the prosecution had cited 94 witnesses, but statements of only four witnesses had been recorded so far, resulting in a prolonged trial. The defence also pointed out that a supplementary chargesheet had already been filed and that Sonam had complied with all the strict conditions imposed while granting her bail.
Her lawyer further disputed the prosecution's claim that she had voluntarily surrendered, asserting that she had been arrested from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh and that describing the arrest as a surrender amounted to a misrepresentation of facts. The defence maintained that Sonam had never violated the bail conditions and there was no likelihood of her absconding.
Appearing for the Meghalaya government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the accused's contentions were baseless and that the chargesheet clearly recorded her surrender. He also submitted that a minor technical error relating to a legal provision had been wrongly projected by the defence to justify bail.
Mehta warned the court that if Sonam remained on bail, there was a possibility of her fleeing from the legal process. During the previous hearing, the Supreme Court had given Sonam's counsel two choices—either she could surrender voluntarily or the court would proceed to decide the Meghalaya government's plea seeking cancellation of her bail.
In her written response before the apex court, Sonam claimed innocence, stating that she had been falsely implicated and that the prosecution's case rested entirely on circumstantial evidence. She argued that mere allegations were insufficient to establish guilt.
While cancelling the bail, the Supreme Court also made broader observations about changing societal trends.
"These things are inevitable in a changing society. Today's generation may be more knowledgeable than ours, but they are more vulnerable when it comes to handling pressure," the court observed.
Responding to the remarks, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, "They have more information, not knowledge."
Justice N. Kotiswar Singh Varale added, "Whatever is being shared on WhatsApp is being considered knowledge."
The case dates back to May 2025 when Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon shortly after their wedding. The couple arrived in Shillong on May 21, but reports of their disappearance emerged on May 26, triggering a massive search operation involving police and local residents.
After several days of searching, Raja's body was recovered on June 2 from a deep gorge at Arliang Riat Kunongrim in Umblai, near the popular Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra.
According to the Meghalaya Police investigation, Sonam was allegedly involved in an illicit relationship with Raj Kushwaha, and the two are believed to have conspired to eliminate Raja under the guise of a honeymoon trip.
Investigators have alleged that Raja was murdered by Akash Singh Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan and Anand Kurmi in Sonam's presence. So far, eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder, and the investigation has culminated in the filing of chargesheets against the accused.
With the Supreme Court cancelling her bail, Sonam Raghuvanshi will now have to surrender within the stipulated three-week period and remain in custody as the trial in the high-profile honeymoon murder case proceeds.
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