The Supreme Court yesterday canceled the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi who is accused of the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore businessman, in Meghalaya during her honeymoon. The top court ordered Sonam to surrender within 3 weeks.
But the court said that if the trial was delayed, she would be free to approach the court again with a fresh bail application after six months.
The Meghalaya government had challenged the bail order given to Sonam by a court in Shillong on April 28. The case was related to the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi whose body was recovered in June 2025 from a deep gorge in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district.
Supreme Court Directs Sonam to Surrender
During Thursday's hearing, arguments centered on the progress of the trial, the number of witnesses and Sonam's arrest and bail.
Sonam’s lawyer informed the court that 94 witnesses had been listed in the case, but only four witnesses had made statements so far. The defence also stated in its court filing that a supplementary chargesheet had been filed and that Sonam had been following up on the strict conditions of her bail.
Her lawyer also argued that Sonam had not surrendered voluntarily, but had been arrested in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. There was no real risk of her absconding and the charges against her were based on circumstantial evidence, the defence said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Meghalaya government, rejected the defence’s claims. The reason cited for Sonam’s arrest was not a legitimate one and the chargesheet indicated that she had surrendered, he said.
The prosecution also argued that Sonam might flee if her bail was permitted to continue.
The Supreme Court earlier had given Sonam’s lawyers the option of surrendering or letting the court decide whether her bail should be cancelled.
What Happened to Raja Raghuvanshi?
Raja and Sonam had traveled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon after getting married. They arrived in Shillong on May 21, 2025. Their disappearance was reported several days later and police and local residents were notified.
On June 2, Raja's body was recovered from a deep gorge in the Arliang Riat Kunongrim area near Umblai, close to the popular Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra.
According to the police investigation, Raja was killed by multiple assailants. Sonam, according to police investigators, was involved in the conspiracy behind the murder and the honeymoon trip was an act to cover up for it.
Police also alleged that Sonam was in an illicit relationship with Raj Kushwaha and that the two allegedly conspired to kill Raja. The prosecution has claimed that the alleged attackers were present during the incident.
Meanwhile, eight people have been arrested in connection with this case.
In cancelling the bail, the Supreme Court also mentioned the challenges faced by younger generations in dealing with pressure and the influence of information shared through social media. The case will now proceed because Sonam is required to surrender within the deadline set by the apex court.
