The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is currently out on bail for killing her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon trip in Meghalaya in 2025, to consider surrendering and returning to jail as the court gave her two days to decide whether she wants to take that option or defend bail.
Sonam, accused along with others of planning to kill her husband in May 2025, was granted bail by the Meghalaya High Court on June 29. The Meghalaya government has challenged this decision in the Supreme Court.
Also Read: Sonam Raghuvanshi Will Not Go Back To Jail: Supreme Court Verdict In Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder
Meghalaya challenges high court’s bail order
The Supreme Court found fault with the state police for not informing the reasons for the arrest and showing complete “non-application of common sense”, as the arrest warrant mentioned Section 403 instead of Section 103 (punishment for murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The State submitted to the Supreme Court that it was merely a typographical error due to which the Supreme Court allowed the release of an accused accused of a serious crime.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justices MM Sundresh and BP Farrall said: “We do not want to surprise you. At the same time, you must also understand our minds. We want to be fair to both sides. Either we can consider and issue an order on the merits, or we will issue an order for you to surrender. Until then, important witnesses can be questioned. You have two options. We suggest you take the instructions and come back.”
Also Read: ‘I am innocent and falsely implicated’: Sonam tells Supreme Court in Raja Raghuvanshi murder case
The defense is looking for time to make a decision
Senior advocate Ardindomoli Prasad, who appeared for Raghuvanshi, said the Supreme Court order required her to be in Shillong and cooperate with the trial. He sought time till Thursday to take directions indicating that there was no allegation by the state that his client had violated any condition of bail laid down in the High Court.
“If you take the second option, we will ask the court to expedite the trial and then your bail application can be accepted,” the court said.
