Meghalaya honeymoon murder accused gets bail, court flags clerical error by cops

UPDATED: Apr 28, 2026 23:18 IST

In a major setback for investigators, a court in Meghalaya has granted bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi in a high-profile murder case after finding serious lapses in the arrest process, turning the spotlight on police procedure rather than evidence.

The court found that key documents prepared at the time of arrest cited a legal provision that does not exist, raising questions over the legality of the arrest itself.

According to the order, the arrest memo, inspection memo, intimation of rights memo and even entries in the case diary mentioned “Section 403(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita”, which the court said does not exist.

Crucially, the actual murder charge, “Section 103(1)”, was never mentioned in the documents shown to Sonam at the time of her arrest.

Rejecting the police argument of a “clerical error”, the court said the accused was not given “effective grounds for arrest”, making the arrest legally untenable.

NO PROOF OF LEGAL ACCESS

The court also pointed to another lapse, saying there was nothing on record to show that Sonam was given access to a lawyer when she was first produced before a court in Ghazipur after her arrest.

Because of this, she could not challenge the defects in the arrest at an earlier stage.

BAIL WITH RESTRICTIONS

While granting bail, the court imposed conditions, directing that Sonam should not leave Shillong district without prior permission.

Her brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, said the family was still awaiting the court order and unsure about her immediate release or stay arrangements.

“I also learned that Sonam has been granted bail, but the court order is still pending I don’t know when she’ll be released, where she’ll be staying,” he said.

He added that the family may not take her home immediately. “We won’t keep her in the house right now If my parents want to bring her home, I won’t be staying at home.”

CASE BACKGROUND

Sonam Raghuvanshi is accused of plotting the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya.

The couple had married in May 2025 and travelled from Indore to Shillong. Raja went missing days later, and his body was found on June 2 in a gorge.

Police have alleged that Sonam conspired with multiple people in the killing. Eight accused were arrested in the case, with three having secured bail earlier.

With the court finding serious flaws in the arrest process, the case now faces a legal challenge that could shape its course going forward, even as the investigation continues.

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