Shillong (Meghalaya), May 05: The Meghalaya government has moved the High Court seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, prime accused in the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in Sohra last year, with police arguing her release could derail the trial by influencing witnesses.
Shillong police confirmed they are preparing a petition before the Meghalaya High Court to challenge the April 27 order of Additional Deputy Commissioner (Judicial) Dashalene R Kharbteng, who granted Sonam bail on a Rs 50,000 bond with two sureties. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said Sonam is the “mastermind” behind the murder and her release poses a threat to witnesses. Police fear she may try to influence them, which could weaken the case, and will present stronger arguments and evidence to counter the grounds on which bail was granted.
Sonam, who was in judicial custody for over 10 months, was granted bail after the court held that police failed to properly communicate the grounds of her arrest, breaching the constitutional safeguard under Article 22(1) and prejudicing her defence. The court noted that arrest documents cited non-existent Section 403(1) BNS instead of Section 103(1) for murder, and none of the checkboxes indicating accusations were ticked. It ruled that the procedural lapse vitiates the arrest itself and entitles the accused to bail. Bail was granted on four conditions: she shall not abscond or tamper with evidence or witnesses, attend court on every date, not leave the jurisdiction without permission, and execute a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties.
The State’s move comes as Raja’s family also prepares to challenge the bail in the High Court. Raja’s brother Vipin Raghuvanshi said he has spoken to a lawyer in Shillong, and the appeal was expected to be filed within a week. The family has demanded a CBI probe, alleging “manipulation” in the investigation after Sonam secured bail despite being named the main accused in a 790-page chargesheet filed in September last year. Raja’s mother Uma Raghuvanshi said she could not understand how Sonam was granted bail despite being the “mastermind” of her son’s murder and said the family has lost faith in the justice system.
Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based transport businessman, went missing on May 23, 2025, during his honeymoon with Sonam. His mutilated body was found on June 2 in a deep gorge near a waterfall in Sohra, East Khasi Hills. Police arrested Sonam, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and three others — Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi — alleging she conspired with Kushwaha to hire killers. Sonam surrendered on June 8 in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district. The chargesheet named eight accused, including Sonam and Kushwaha.
While Sonam was released after her family completed legal formalities, she has been ordered to remain in Shillong and may move court for travel permission citing a threat to her life. The four co-accused remain in jail after their bail pleas were rejected by the same court on May 2 on technical grounds, not on merit. Raj Kushwaha moved for bail citing Sonam’s release, with the order reserved.
Police maintain the investigation will continue as per law and said the court’s bail order does not affect the ongoing trial, though it shifts focus to procedural lapses in the arrest. The High Court is expected to hear the State’s cancellation plea this week.
