Supreme Court Upholds Bail for Woman Accused in Honeymoon Murder Case

The Supreme Court has decided not to stay the Meghalaya High Court's bail order for Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of murdering her husband during their honeymoon. Despite serious allegations, the court noted her release under trial court conditions. The case will be revisited when the court reopens, following an appeal from the Meghalaya government. Sonam was arrested last year after her husband was found dead during their vacation in Sohra. Authorities allege she conspired with hired assailants for financial gain. This decision raises questions about the legal proceedings surrounding the case.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 3, 2026, 14:13 IST

Supreme Court Decision on Bail

File image of Sonam in police custody after surrender in Ghazipur. (Photo:X)

New Delhi, Jul 3: On Friday, the Supreme Court declined to put a hold on the Meghalaya High Court's decision to grant bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of murdering her husband during their honeymoon in 2025.

A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Sheel Nagu expressed concerns regarding the high court's ruling but ultimately decided against staying it, noting that Raghuvanshi has already been released and is currently in Shillong under the bail conditions set by the trial court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, argued that the charges against Raghuvanshi are severe and that her release should not be based on technicalities.

Mehta requested the court to stay the high court's order, but the bench denied this request.

The case has been scheduled for further review when the apex court reconvenes.

Earlier, on Thursday, the Meghalaya government appealed to the Supreme Court to contest the bail granted to the main suspect in the case.

Sonam Raghuvanshi, hailing from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, was taken into custody in June of the previous year in connection with the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi.

The couple had gone missing while enjoying a vacation in Meghalaya's Sohra region on May 23 last year, and Raja's body was discovered in a deep gorge on June 2, 2025.

Authorities allege that Sonam Raghuvanshi plotted with hired attackers to murder her husband for financial benefits.

On June 29, the Meghalaya High Court upheld the trial court's decision to grant bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi.