Shillong (Meghalaya), April 30: A day after Sonam Raghuvanshi walked free on a technicality, the four other accused in Meghalaya’s honeymoon murder case have moved court for bail, citing the same “procedural lapses” that sank the SIT’s arrest.
Advocate P. Yobin confirmed to this reporter that he has filed a bail petition for all four co-accused in the Session Case No. 41(T)2025. “The court has heard us and reserved the order,” Yobin said. “We filed because the same procedural violations apply. The grounds of arrest were not communicated properly.”
Sonam was granted bail on Apr 27 by Addl. DC Judicial R. Kharbteng after the court found that police papers cited Section 403(1) BNS – theft – instead of 103(1) BNS – murder – in her arrest memo and related documents. Relying on the Supreme Court’s _Vihaan Kumar_ ruling, the court held that Article 22(1) was violated, making her arrest illegal.
The four accused – alleged lover Raj Kushwaha and three suspected hitmen – have been in Shillong jail since June 2025. Charges were framed against all five on 28.10.2025 u/s 103(1)/238(a)/309(6)/3(6) BNS after Raja Raghuvanshi’s body was found near Weisawdong Falls during the couple’s Meghalaya honeymoon.
Yobin argued that if the arrest of the main accused fails for non-communication of grounds, the same defect hits the co-accused. “The SIT used identical paperwork. The illegality cannot be selective,” he said.
The prosecution is expected to oppose, arguing that the role of each accused differs and that the “403(1) error” was raised late. But after Sonam’s release, legal experts say the SIT’s paperwork blunder has opened the door for all five.
The order on the fresh bail pleas is awaited. For now, the Government has still not announced any action against officers who signed the flawed arrest memos.
