Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 23: The Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, and directed her to surrender within three weeks.
A Bench of the apex court, however, observed that if the trial is delayed, Sonam would be free to file a fresh bail application after six months.
The order came while hearing a petition filed by the Meghalaya government, which challenged the bail granted to Sonam by a Shillong court on April 28.
Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based businessman, was allegedly murdered during the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya in May 2025. Police have alleged that Sonam conspired with her alleged partner, Raj Kushwaha, to hire three men to kill Raja in East Khasi Hills district.
During the hearing, Sonam's counsel argued that the prosecution had cited 94 witnesses, of whom only four had been examined so far. The defence maintained that she had complied with all bail conditions, posed no flight risk, and had been arrested in Uttar Pradesh rather than surrendering voluntarily.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Meghalaya government, opposed the bail, arguing that Sonam was likely to abscond if allowed to remain free. He also dismissed the defence's objections regarding an alleged technical error in the legal documents, calling it a minor typographical mistake.
While cancelling the bail, the Supreme Court made observations on changing social trends, stating that although the younger generation has access to more information, it is also more vulnerable to pressure. During the exchange, Mehta remarked that people today have "more information, not knowledge", to which Justice Varale observed that "whatever is being shared on WhatsApp is being considered knowledge."
Raja and Sonam had travelled to Shillong on May 21, 2025, shortly after their wedding. The couple went missing on May 26, triggering a large-scale search operation. Raja's body was recovered on June 2 from a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra.
According to investigators, Sonam and Raj Kushwaha allegedly plotted Raja's murder and used the honeymoon as a cover for the crime. Police claim Raja was hacked to death by Akash Singh Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan and Anand Kurmi in Sonam's presence. A total of eight people have been arrested in connection with the case.