Legal Developments in Sohra Murder Case: Co-Accused Seeks Bail

In a significant development in the Sohra murder case, co-accused Raj Kushwaha has filed a bail application following the recent release of Sonam Raghuvanshi. The bail was granted to Sonam due to flaws in the arrest documentation, raising questions about the legality of the arrests. Both individuals were implicated in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, with three others still in custody. Kushwaha's legal team is hopeful for a similar outcome, citing the same issues that led to Sonam's bail. This case highlights critical legal principles regarding the communication of arrest grounds.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 30, 2026, 09:31 IST

New Bail Application Filed in Sohra Murder Case

Raj Kushwaha and other accused in the murder case of Raja Raghuvanshi (Photo: @Shalu89475251 / X)

Shillong, April 30: The recent bail approval for Sonam Raghuvanshi, attributed to issues in the arrest documentation, has prompted co-accused Raj Kushwaha to file a similar bail request in the Sessions Court today.

Both Sonam and Kushwaha were taken into custody in June 2025 concerning the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi in Sohra. They are charged under identical legal provisions. Additionally, three other individuals—Akash Rajput, Anand Kurmi, and Vishal Singh Chauhan—remain in judicial custody.

Phuyosa Yobin, representing Kushwaha, stated, “Since Sonam was granted bail yesterday, we have made a similar argument regarding the improper nature of the arrest. We are now awaiting the court's decision on our bail request.”

Sonam was released on bail after the Sessions Court determined that the police did not adequately inform her of the reasons for her arrest, as mandated by Article 22(1) of the Constitution, which ensures that individuals are aware of the grounds for their detention.

The court identified significant flaws in the documentation related to the arrest, noting that the format used was merely a checklist with several relevant sections left unmarked. It also highlighted that some documents incorrectly cited Section 403(1) BNS, while the actual case was filed under Section 103(1) BNS, among other laws.

The judge concluded that Sonam was not properly informed of her arrest under Section 103(1) BNS, which pertains to murder and its penalties. In contrast, Section 403(1) does not exist; the nearest applicable law is Section 403 IPC, which addresses dishonest property misappropriation. However, the BNS replaced the IPC on July 1, 2024.

The court's decision was influenced by various precedents from the Supreme Court, High Courts, and a specific ruling from the Meghalaya High Court in the case of Labius Arengh versus State of Meghalaya, where bail was granted due to ineffective communication of arrest grounds. Given that Raj Kushwaha is facing the same charges and similar arrest documentation, his legal team is optimistic about securing bail on the same basis as Sonam's release.