A Meghalaya court on Tuesday reportedly granted bail to Indore resident Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of killing her husband during their honeymoon in the northeastern state in 2025.
“The court has released the accused on bail. However, necessary legal procedures are being followed and the police will continue to pursue the matter in accordance with the law,” PTI quoted Inspector of Police (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Sim as saying.
Read also | Honeymoon, affair and gruesome murder: the Sonam Raghuvanshi case that shook India
Who is Sonam Raghuvanshi?
Sonam was arrested along with her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha and three others for planning and executing the murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi.
The couple went to Guwahati and Shillong for their honeymoon on May 20, but were reported missing on May 23.
After nearly 10 days of search efforts, Raja’s body was found on June 2 in a deep ravine in Sohra, East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. Sonam later surrendered in Ghazipur.
She and four other accused, Sonam’s alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and her accomplices Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan and Anand Kurmi, have been arrested and are now in judicial custody.
Meghalaya honeymoon murder case
Sonam’s family, unhappy with her relationship with Raj Kushwaha, arranged her marriage with Raja Raghuvanshi, as mentioned in an earlier HT report.
Vivek Sim had earlier said that Sonam was upset about this matter, and warned her family of dire consequences if they continued her marriage to Raja, which they did.
In a 790-page chargesheet, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has formally charged Raja’s wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and three hired attackers, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi, under Sections 103(1), 238(A) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, 2023, officials said.
Case timeline
May 11: Raja Raghuvanshi marries Sonam in Indore.
May 20: The couple arrives in Shillong for their honeymoon and then heads to Sohra.
May 23: The couple exits the property in Nongriat. Raja was last seen alive. The murder was allegedly carried out near the Wei Sawdong Falls.
May 26: The couple was reported missing. A big search begins.
May 31: A motorcycle was found abandoned near Golden Pines Dhaba.
June 2: Raja’s mutilated body was recovered from the Arliang Riat Kunungrim Gorge.
June 8-11: The SIT arrested Sonam, Raj Kushwaha and three alleged attackers in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
June 22-25: James, Tomar and Ahirwar were arrested in Madhya Pradesh on charges of destroying evidence.
