In a major development in the widely discussed Shillong honeymoon murder case, Sonam Raghuvanshi was granted bail on Tuesday after spending nearly 11 months in jail. She had been accused of murdering her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon trip in Meghalaya.
The bail order came months after Sonam filed a plea before the Shillong court in December 2025, seeking release while the case proceedings continue.
Sonam Denied Murder Allegations In Bail Plea
In her bail application, Sonam maintained that she was happy in her marriage and denied all allegations related to the murder of her husband.
She also rejected claims of being in a romantic relationship with co-accused Raj Kushwaha, stating that the two shared a bond like “brother and sister.”
According to the petition, Sonam argued that she had no motive to harm Raja and insisted that there was no reason for her to plan his murder.
Claimed She Was Excited About Marriage
Sonam told the court that she had enthusiastically participated in all the preparations for the wedding and had even selected her outfits based on Raja’s personal preferences.
She stated that she was looking forward to her married life and shared no hostility toward her husband, seeking to counter the prosecution’s allegation that the murder was pre-planned.
Her legal team argued that the circumstances mentioned in the charges did not justify prolonged incarceration without trial.
Couple Went Missing During Honeymoon In Meghalaya
Sonam and Raja got married in May 2025 and soon after left for their honeymoon in the Northeast.
The couple first visited the Kamakhya Temple in Assam and later travelled to Shillong, where they planned to explore the hill region.
The two were reportedly last seen together while trekking in the hills around Shillong before suddenly going missing.
Raja’s Body Found In Gorge, Sonam Arrested Days Later
The couple was reported missing on May 23, 2025, triggering a search operation.
On June 2, Raja Raghuvanshi’s body was recovered from a gorge in Meghalaya, sending shockwaves across the country.
A week later, on June 9, Sonam was located at a roadside dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, after which she was arrested in connection with the case.
Initial Version Changed During Investigation
After being traced, Sonam initially told investigators that she had been drugged and abandoned, denying any role in Raja’s death.
However, during interrogation, investigators claimed that she later confessed to conspiring in the murder with Raj Kushwaha, who was allegedly her lover.
The prosecution alleged that the murder was planned in advance, making the case one of the most sensational criminal investigations of the year.
Case Continues Despite Bail Relief
Although Sonam has now secured bail, the murder case remains under investigation and the trial proceedings are expected to continue.
