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    In a hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court suggested that Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime suspect in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, consider surrendering and facing trial while it examined the State government's challenge to the bail granted to her.[1]

    Supreme Court’s Options for the Suspect

    The bench of Chief Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale signalled that it could either decide the matter on merits or direct Sonam’s temporary surrender until key prosecution witnesses were examined.[1]

    Background of the Murder

    Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam married on 12 May 2025, then vanished on 23 May after leaving a homestay in Nongriat, Meghalaya. Their scooter was recovered six days later, and Raja’s body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls on 2 June.[1]

    Police arrested Sonam and Raj Kushwaha as the prime suspects, alleging that the murder was pre‑planned and that Raja was taken to an isolated location in the hills before being killed and dumped into the gorge.[1]

    A 700‑page chargesheet has since been filed, and the trial is presently underway.[1]

    State Government Defends Arrest Process

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that Sonam had been fully aware of the reasons for her arrest and that the Supreme Court’s appeal concerned the bail, not the cancellation of arrest on procedural grounds.[1]

    He contended that the reference to a non‑existent Section 403(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the arrest memo was merely a typographical error and could not amount to a non‑supply of grounds of arrest.[1]

    The state said Sonam had not raised the alleged non‑supply of grounds of arrest until her third bail application, after counsel advised her to do so.[1]

    Court’s Warning and Future Hearing

    Justice Sundresh cautioned Sonam’s counsel that if she agreed to surrender, the trial court could record evidence of public witnesses on priority before reconsidering the bail plea, citing strict bail conditions that restrict her to Shillong.[1]

    The Supreme Court will hear Sonam’s willingness to surrender on 23 July; pending that, the bench may proceed with a merits hearing or issue a directional order.[1]

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