New Delhi, July 23: In a significant development in the high-profile Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, the Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the Meghalaya High Court’s order granting bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of murdering her newlywed husband during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. The apex court directed her to surrender before the trial court within three weeks.

A Bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale overturned the June 29 judgment of the Meghalaya High Court, which had upheld a Shillong trial court’s decision to release Sonam on bail. The Supreme Court observed that allowing the accused to remain at liberty at this stage could adversely affect the ongoing criminal trial.

The Bench emphasized that Sonam Raghuvanshi’s continued freedom had the potential to "hinder" the fair progress of the trial, making it necessary to revoke the bail granted earlier. The court also instructed that she must surrender within the stipulated three-week period.

The Supreme Court further rejected the defence's argument that the grounds of arrest had not been communicated to Sonam at the time of her detention. The judges observed that such an objection should have been raised at the earliest stage of the legal proceedings and could not be entertained at this advanced phase.

The case has attracted nationwide attention since Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly murdered while on his honeymoon in Meghalaya, with investigators accusing his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, of orchestrating the crime. The trial in the sensational case is currently underway.