'Such Instances Are Rising': SG Cites Ketan Agarwal Death While Opposing Bail In Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Case

The Supreme Court declined to stay bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, prime accused in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder of husband Raja Raghuvanshi, but issued notice on the State's cancellation plea.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta cited the Ketan Agarwal murder case, saying "such instances are increasing." Justice M.M. Sundresh called for stakeholder introspection. The Meghalaya High Court had granted bail on June 29, citing procedural lapses in Sonam's arrest. Matter listed for July 9.

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'Such Instances Are Rising': SG Tushar Mehta Cites Ketan Agarwal Death While Opposing Sonam Raghuvanshi's Bail

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to immediately stay the Meghalaya High Court's order granting bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, prime accused in the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, even as it issued notice on the State's plea seeking cancellation of that bail.

Appearing for the State of Meghalaya before a vacation bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the facts of the case would "shock the Court's conscience" and were "really painful." Drawing a parallel with the recent Lohagad Fort case involving the death of 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal, allegedly killed by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her associate, the SG lamented that "such instances are increasing."

Responding to the submission, Justice Sundresh observed that some introspection was required by different stakeholders, while also referring to a recent judgment in a "sensational case from Bengaluru," without elaborating further.

Background of the Case

Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam, both residents of Indore, had married on May 11 and travelled to Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya for their honeymoon. The couple went missing on May 23, and Raja's body was later recovered from a gorge near Weisawdong Falls on June 2. Sonam was arrested on June 9 on charges of conspiring with an alleged associate, Raj Kushwaha, to murder her husband for financial gain. She remained in judicial custody for over ten months before being granted bail on April 27.

Grounds for Bail

The Meghalaya High Court, while upholding the trial court's bail order on June 29, held that the grounds of arrest reflected a "total non-application of judicious mind," noting that police records had cited the wrong section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, resulting in Sonam never being formally informed that she was arrested for murder.

The Supreme Court noted that since Sonam had already been released, it would not disturb her bail at this stage, but issued notice to her on the State's cancellation plea. Detailed arguments on whether the bail should ultimately be set aside are scheduled to continue on July 9.