Supreme Court Rejects Stay of Bail for Sonam Raghuvanshi

The Supreme Court has allowed Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband during their 2025 honeymoon, to remain on bail, citing her prior release from custody. The court issued notice on a petition from the Meghalaya government challenging the bail but declined to suspend it during further proceedings.

A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu heard arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, who sought an immediate stay of the bail order. Mehta described the case as shocking, alleging Raghuvanshi conspired with others in a pre-planned murder for financial gain and disposed of her husband's body in a gorge. He argued the accused posed a flight risk, noting a trial involving 94 witnesses is underway.

The bench, however, noted that Raghuvanshi had already been released from jail and is currently residing in Shillong under strict bail conditions imposed by the trial court. The justices stated that ordering her arrest again at this stage was not appropriate. They expressed prima facie reservations about the legal reasoning behind the bail grant but scheduled a detailed hearing for July 9, directing Raghuvanshi to file her response.