Shillong, Ap 29: In a major setback for investigators, a Meghalaya court has granted bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi in the high-profile murder case of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, citing significant procedural lapses in her arrest. The ruling has shifted attention from the evidence in the case to the legality of police procedures.
The court noted that key arrest documents—including the arrest memo, inspection memo, intimation of rights memo, and entries in the case diary—cited a non-existent legal provision, “Section 403(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.” Critically, the actual murder charge under “Section 103(1)” was never mentioned to Sonam at the time of her arrest.
Rejecting the police explanation of a “clerical error,” the court held that the accused was not provided with effective grounds for her arrest, rendering it legally untenable.
The court further observed that there was no record showing that Sonam was given access to a lawyer when first produced before a court in Ghazipur after her arrest. As a result, she could not challenge the arrest at an earlier stage.
While granting bail, the court imposed restrictions, including a direction that Sonam should not leave the Shillong district without prior permission.
Her brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, stated that the family was still awaiting the official court order and was unsure about her immediate release or accommodation arrangements. He added that she might not return home immediately for security reasons.
Sonam Raghuvanshi is accused of plotting the murder of her husband during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. The couple had married in May 2025 and traveled from Indore to Shillong, where Raja went missing days later. His body was recovered from a gorge on June 2.
Police allege that Sonam conspired with multiple individuals in the killing. Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case, three of whom had previously secured bail.
With the court highlighting major procedural flaws in her arrest, the case now faces fresh legal scrutiny even as the investigation continues.
