Sonam Raghuvanshi, the main accused in the Raja Raghuvanshi honeymoon murder case, was granted bail by a court in Meghalaya on Tuesday. She had been in jail for nearly 10 months after she was arrested.
According to the court order, the document containing the grounds for arrest in the case had shown that Sona was not informed of the offence under Section 103(1) of the CrPC under the BNS, which shows that the punishment for murder.
The court observed that, “Though it has been argued that this is a clerical error, such an error cannot occur in all documents. In none of the documents has the petitioner been intimated that she is arrested for the offence u/s 103(1) BNS. Even in the formats of the intimation of grounds of arrest, it is observed that specific facts constituting the offence have not been communicated to the accused person.”
The court directed that she be released on bail on the condition that the she does not leave the jurisdiction of the court, except with due permission and not abscond and tamper with evidence or witnesses.
She is also directed to attend court on every fixed date, submit a personal bond and surety.
Sonam was arrested on June 9 2025, and is lodged in the Shillong District jail and correctional home, Shillong.
Four other people were also arrested along with her, including her alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha.
In the charge sheet filed on September 5, the Meghalaya police alleged that Raja’s murder took place in Sonam’s presence and that she conspired with Raj Kushwaha.
Sonam, however, pleaded not guilty.
The victim's family has not raised a situation in the court's decision.
Raj’s older brother told reporters that the family is unhappy with the bail. His father meanwhle have threatened to appeal tot he high court and the Supreme Court to have the bail revoked.
Meanwhile, his mother made serious allegations, saying that the bail was initiated due to a “money transaction.”
She also added, "If the accused had been a boy instead of a girl, he would not have been released.”
Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam got married on May 11, 2025. Raja went missing on May 23 after they left for Shillong for their honeymoon. Ten days later, his body was recovered from a 30-foot ravine. He was found with wounds caused by sharp weapons. Sonam who was the suspect, was found absconding in Uttar Pradesh. Four other people: Raja, Akash Anand and Vishal were arrested after she was questioned.
