Meghalaya: East Khasi Hill SP Clarifies That Clerical Error Led To Sonam Raghuvanshi’s Bail.

Shillong; May 2026: The bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, prime accused in the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, stemmed from a clerical error in the section number, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem has addressed the media yesterday (Monday – 18th May 2026) adding that the development will not weaken the prosecution’s case. “The person was given bail on the ground that due to clerical error; the number of section was changed from 103 to 403”, Police Superintendent Syiem said. “There is no 403 in the Bharayiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS)”

He disputed the court’s finding that the grounds of arrest were not explained. “It is not that the grounds of arrest were not made to understand”, the SP has said. “When the transit remand was made also, the ground of arrest was given to understand to the accused. During production also the ground of arrest was given to understand and the accused understood that she was arrested for murder”.

“Court has taken a different stand and given order that grounds of arrest were not made to be understood by the accused”, Syiem said. “We have appealed for that”.

Syiem stressed that the investigation is complete and the trial remains on track. “It does not mean that there will be any difference in the trial and the chargesheet is there”, he said. “We have enough evidence against the accused. Bail does not in any way dilute the outcome of the trial”.

He said Raghuvanshi was informed of the murder charge during remand proceedings in both Ghazipur and Shillong. “She was produced in Ghazipur before magistrate out there and we got transit remand from there based on section of murder”, Syiem said. “When she was produced again out here before the production magistrate also, she was given to understand that the offence committed was for murder”.

On legal representation, Syiem said, “Legal aid, that’s the discretion of the court out there. I am quite sure that she may have given legal aid out there. Any accused who actually does not have any counsel, will be provided legal aid”.

A hearing is listed for today (19th May 2026). “There will be hearing tomorrow, let us see what the outcome is,” he said. Syiem noted the case has moved quickly compared to typical timelines. “I cannot comment on it because that is work of the court, how trial proceeds and progresses”, he said. “But the fact that trial has started just shows that the wheels of justice has moved. Usually, trials start after few years. This has started very fast”.

Team Maverick.