The Supreme Court on July 3 declined to stay the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, but accepted the Meghalaya government’s challenge and listed the matter for further hearing on July 9, directing Sonam to file a counter-affidavit. A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu issued notice on the state’s plea but refused to suspend the High Court order because the accused has already been released on bail.
The Bench said it had a “reservation, prima facie, about the High Court order” and would monitor how the trial proceeds, adding that Sonam had been informed of the grounds of arrest and had not raised the issue in earlier bail applications. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Meghalaya, told the court the facts of the case would “shock the Court’s conscience” and called them “really painful.” He pointed to the recent Lohagad Fort case in Pune and warned such incidents were increasing, arguing that the impugned judgment risked setting a “wrong precedent.” Mehta also said the trial has begun and more than 90 prosecution witnesses remain to be examined.
Advocate General Amit Kumar, who also represented the state, noted that counsel for the accused was present during the hearing. After hearing submissions, the Bench posted the matter for July 9 and asked parties to file their replies before that date.
The Meghalaya High Court on June 29 had upheld the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Judicial), Shillong’s April 27 order granting Sonam bail, finding serious procedural lapses in how the grounds of arrest were communicated and criticising the police for a “total non-application of judicious mind.”
Dissatisfied with the developments, Raja’s family on Friday renewed its demand for a CBI probe, alleging lapses by Meghalaya Police enabled Sonam to secure bail. Raja’s elder brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, accused the government of “dual standards” and said more than a year has passed since his brother’s murder without a CBI investigation. Vipin warned that Sonam, who is currently staying in Shillong under bail conditions, could tamper with evidence or influence witnesses if she remains out on bail. Sonam was arrested on June 9 last year in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, spent over 10 months in judicial custody in Shillong District Jail, and was released on bail on April 27. Vipin said his family has faith in the judiciary and hopes for justice.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/07/04/sc-declines-to-stay-sonams-bail-lists-matter-for-july-9/
Category: MEGHALAYA
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-07-04 02:16:00
