Sonam Raghuvanshi: Meghalaya moves SC to stay bail of honeymoon-murder accused

The Meghalaya government has moved the Supreme Court seeking an urgent stay on the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the sensational Raja Raghuvanshi honeymoon murder case, arguing that her release could adversely affect the ongoing criminal proceedings.

The appeal comes shortly after the Meghalaya High Court upheld an April 2026 order of a Shillong trial court granting bail to Sonam. The High Court had ruled that the investigating agency failed to effectively communicate the grounds of her arrest, amounting to a violation of the procedural safeguards guaranteed to an arrested person under the law.

Seeking an urgent hearing before the apex court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Meghalaya government, argued that the High Court erred in granting bail solely on procedural lapses despite the gravity of the allegations. A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu agreed to hear the state's plea on Friday.

In its petition, the state has contended that procedural deficiencies in the arrest process should not outweigh the seriousness of the murder charges. It has also sought an interim stay on the bail order to prevent Sonam's release while the Supreme Court examines the legality of the High Court's decision.

Sonam Raghuvanshi is accused of conspiring to murder her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya in May 2025. Investigators have alleged that she orchestrated the killing with the help of hired assailants. She was arrested in June 2025 after a nationwide search following Raja's death in East Khasi Hills district. Sonam has denied the allegations against her.

The High Court's decision to uphold bail had triggered criticism from Raja Raghuvanshi's family, which also indicated that it would challenge the order before the Supreme Court. The victim's relatives have maintained that the evidence collected during the investigation warrants continued custody of the accused until the trial progresses.

The Supreme Court's decision on Meghalaya's plea is expected to determine whether Sonam's bail remains in force or is stayed pending a detailed hearing. The ruling could also have wider implications for the balance between procedural safeguards during arrest and the consideration of bail in serious criminal cases.