Shillong, April 29: The family of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi has raised objections to a Meghalaya court’s decision granting bail to his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, alleging she was the “mastermind” behind the killing and calling for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Raghuvanshi’s brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, said the family would challenge the bail order before the Meghalaya High Court, focusing on legal arguments raised during the hearing. He stated that the defence had argued procedural lapses, particularly alleging that the accused was not properly informed of the grounds for her arrest.
The case stems from the disappearance of Raja Raghuvanshi on May 23 last year while he was on his honeymoon in Meghalaya. His body was recovered on June 2 from a gorge near a waterfall in Sohra in East Khasi Hills district, in what investigators described as a brutal killing.
Sonam was arrested on June 9, 2025, in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and remained in judicial custody in Shillong for over ten months. Police subsequently filed a 790-page chargesheet naming eight accused, including Sonam and her alleged associate Raj Kushwah, outlining an alleged conspiracy to murder.
The bail order has prompted strong reactions from the victim’s family. Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, questioned the development, stating that the decision was difficult to reconcile with the findings of the investigation conducted over several months. She reiterated the family’s demand for justice.
Vipin Raghuvanshi also raised concerns regarding the handling of the case, alleging possible procedural gaps and claiming that the family had not been provided with a copy of the chargesheet, limiting their ability to review the evidence.
The family has maintained that the gravity of the allegations warrants an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, even as the matter is set to be taken up before the High Court for further legal proceedings.
