Meghalaya murder case: Supreme Court cancels bail of Sonam Raghuvanshi

The Supreme Court has set aside the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, described as the prime accused in the Raja Raghuvanshi honeymoon murder case. The court directed her to surrender and return to judicial custody so that she can face the ongoing trial in Meghalaya.

The Meghalaya government had challenged the Meghalaya High Court’s bail decision. It argued that the High Court’s order was based on a technical error, prompting the appeal before the apex court.

Why the bail order was reversed

In its latest ruling, the Supreme Court examined the case in detail and found merit in the state’s challenge. The bench noted that it had earlier refrained from interfering because Sonam had already been released from custody. After reviewing the matter further, the court concluded that the bail order should not stand.

The bail was originally granted by the Meghalaya High Court on June 29. The High Court had pointed to a lapse at the trial court stage, saying charges were not framed within the statutory time limit.

Case timeline and investigation

The case relates to the murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi. He had travelled to Meghalaya with his wife Sonam for their honeymoon in May 2025. The couple later went missing, and Raja’s body was recovered from a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong.

Meghalaya Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Sonam along with four others. Police alleged that she conspired with an alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, to murder her husband. A chargesheet running to 790 pages was filed against the accused following the investigation.

With the Supreme Court’s direction, Sonam Raghuvanshi is required to surrender and remain in judicial custody as the trial continues in Meghalaya.