The state government has moved the High Court of Meghalaya challenging a lower court’s recent order granting bail to prime accused Sonam Raghuvanshi in the sensational murder case of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, in Sohra last year.
Sources said the matter was mentioned before the Chief Justice’s Court on Monday, following which a notice was issued to Sonam Raghuvanshi. The case is scheduled to be heard on May 12.
The petition, filed under Section 528 read with Section 483(3) of the BNSS, 2023, challenges the April 27, 2026 order passed by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Judicial) D.R. Kharbteng. The lower court had granted bail to the accused on the ground that she was not informed about the reasons for her arrest.
Countering this claim, the state government argued that the contention is factually incorrect and contradicted by official records, which show that the accused had been duly informed of the grounds of her arrest.
The petition further stated that the lower court failed to consider that the chargesheet in the case was filed on September 5, 2025, followed by a supplementary chargesheet on February 10, 2026.
It also cited a trial court order dated September 25, 2025, indicating that a copy of the chargesheet was provided to the accused. Another order dated February 17, 2026, confirmed that the supplementary chargesheet was also supplied to her counsel. Additionally, charges in the case were formally framed on October 28, 2025.
“After filing of the chargesheet and framing of charges, it is evident that the accused was fully aware of the facts of the case, including the grounds of arrest. Therefore, the plea that she was not informed of the grounds of arrest at this stage is contrary to the records and appears to be an afterthought,” the petition stated.