Clerical mistake changes course of Sonam Raghuvanshi's honeymoon murder case

The article reports on the bail order and the court's critique of the 'clerical error' defense.

In a detailed order released on Wednesday, the court criticised the prosecution for defending a 'clerical error' and found that the same incorrect sections were used across arrest memo, inspection memo, and case diary extracts. The court noted the offence was not properly communicated under the correct section (103(1) BNS) and that the grounds of arrest were not specified, violating Article 22(1) of the Constitution. The bail was granted with conditions: the accused shall not abscond, shall not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses, shall attend every court hearing, shall stay within the court's jurisdiction unless permitted, and execute a personal bond of ₹50,000 with two sureties. She walked out of jail on Wednesday.

A Shillong court granted bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi despite the gravity of the murder case.

Sonam Raghuvanshi has been in custody since around June 2025; prosecutors had previously rejected her bail pleas three times.

Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi was found dead in a gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra (Cherrapunji) during his honeymoon. Police alleged that Sonam Raghuvanshi conspired with her alleged lover and hired killers to carry out the crime.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaced the Indian Penal Code on July 1, 2024. The court notes that BNS does not have a section 403(1), which led to the mis-citation in documents.