The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the Meghalaya High Court order granting bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the honeymoon murder case. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia passed the order after hearing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who argued that the allegations were serious and the accused could not be released on technical grounds.
Background of the Case
Sonam Raghuvanshi was arrested in connection with the murder of her husband, who died during their honeymoon in Meghalaya in 2024. The prosecution alleged that she conspired with an accomplice to kill him for financial gain. The Meghalaya High Court granted her bail on June 15, citing lack of direct evidence and prolonged custody.
Supreme Court Proceedings
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the trial was at a critical stage and releasing Raghuvanshi could hamper the investigation. He said the High Court had overlooked the gravity of the offense. However, the Supreme Court observed that the bail order was detailed and did not find any ground to interfere at this stage. The court also noted that Raghuvanshi had been in custody for over 18 months.
Impact and Next Steps
The Supreme Court's refusal to stay the bail means Raghuvanshi will remain out of jail pending trial. The case will now proceed in the trial court, where the prosecution is expected to present its evidence. Legal experts say the order could set a precedent for similar cases involving prolonged pre-trial detention.
