SHILLONG: A major procedural blunder by Meghalaya Police has resulted in a significant legal setback in the high-profile “Honeymoon Murder” case.
Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was granted bail after the courts ruled that police failed to properly communicate the legal grounds for her arrest.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, explained that the error occurred under high-pressure circumstances during Sonam’s arrest in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. The Shillong police had deployed multiple teams across various states—one in Madhya Pradesh, two in Uttar Pradesh, and one specifically in Ghazipur—to apprehend the accused.
During the arrest, officers made a critical clerical error in three essential arrest documents: instead of citing Section 103 (murder) under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), they repeatedly listed Section 403—a non-existent provision under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
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As a result of this documentation mistake, the court accepted the defense’s argument that the grounds for arrest were not properly communicated, leading to Sonam’s release on bail. SP Syiem confirmed that Sonam is abiding by all bail conditions, is present, and is appearing for all scheduled court hearings.
He acknowledged the clerical error as a setback, but stressed, “we have not lost the war,” and expressed confidence as the prosecution looks forward to the trial.
Responding to a Supreme Court directive, Syiem stated that all necessary documents, including the arrest memo, have been submitted to the Advocate General (AG) of Meghalaya.
Sonam Raghuvanshi is accused of orchestrating the May 2025 murder of her husband, Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was found in a deep gorge in Sohra, Meghalaya, during their honeymoon. The prosecution alleges Sonam conspired with her lover to hire contract killers for financial gain.
She was granted bail by a Shillong trial court—a decision upheld by the Meghalaya High Court—due to procedural lapses, including citing a non-existent section instead of Section 302 (murder) and failing to clearly communicate the grounds of arrest.
Sonam remains out on bail under strict conditions, while the Supreme Court reviews the Meghalaya government’s appeal to cancel her release. The focus continues to be on the legality of the arrest documents as the main murder trial proceeds in the lower courts.
(4FrontMedia news)
