Raja Raghuvanshi case: Family opposes Sonam’s bail, raises questions on probe

Indore: The family of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi has expressed strong objections to a Meghalaya court’s decision to grant bail to his wife Sonam, who is accused in his murder case. Calling the development questionable, the family has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation and said it will approach the Meghalaya High Court to challenge the order.

Speaking on Tuesday, members of Raghuvanshi’s family said they intend to move the Meghalaya High Court to challenge the lower court’s decision to grant bail to Sonam. They have expressed dissatisfaction with the development and are seeking judicial intervention.

Case background

Raja Raghuvanshi, a transport businessman, went missing on May 23 last year while on his honeymoon with Sonam. His body was later discovered on June 2 in a mutilated condition in a deep gorge near a waterfall in the Sohra area of East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya.

Following the discovery, Sonam and several others, including her alleged boyfriend, were arrested in connection with the case.

Bail granted to accused

On Tuesday, a court in Meghalaya granted bail to Sonam. The decision has prompted strong reactions from the victim’s family, who have questioned how bail was allowed despite the allegations against her.

Raja’s mother, Uma, expressed her anguish while speaking to reporters. She said she could not comprehend how Sonam had been granted bail despite being accused of orchestrating her son’s killing.

“The Meghalaya Police thoroughly investigated the case over the past nine months, but it was beyond our understanding how the game suddenly changed in a month or two,” she said.

“We only demand one thing from the government, justice for my innocent son, who was murdered. I want a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into this case,” she added.

Brother alleges irregularities

Raja’s elder brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, confirmed that the family will challenge the bail order in the Meghalaya High Court.

He also referred to arguments made during the bail hearing, stating that Sonam’s lawyer had stressed that the Meghalaya Police failed to properly inform her of the specific grounds for her arrest, which allegedly violated legal provisions.

Vipin further raised concerns about possible irregularities in the investigation. He claimed that the prosecution has not yet provided him with a copy of the chargesheet, nor has he been able to examine it in detail.

Arrest and chargesheet details

Sonam was arrested on June 9, 2025, in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, for her alleged role in a conspiracy to murder her husband. She had been in judicial custody at Shillong District Jail for more than 10 months.

In September last year, Meghalaya Police filed a detailed chargesheet running into 790 pages. The document named eight individuals as accused, including Sonam and her alleged boyfriend Raj Kushwah.

With agency inputs