New Delhi, 23 July (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, an accused in the murder case of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya. A bench headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh directed Sonam Raghuvanshi to surrender within three weeks.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Meghalaya government, said that Sonam had surrendered herself and was aware of the offence for which she was being searched.

Mehta told the court that Sonam had been informed about the grounds of her arrest and that her brother was also notified about the arrest. He added that the error in the arrest documents was merely a typing mistake.

The lawyer representing Sonam Raghuvanshi had argued that the case had been given excessive media attention and that it was based on circumstantial evidence.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court told Sonam’s counsel that the court had two options — either to examine the matter on its merits and pass an order, or direct her to surrender until the witnesses in the case are examined. The court asked the lawyer to seek instructions and inform the bench.

The petition was filed by the Meghalaya government challenging the order of the High Court, which had upheld the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi by the trial court.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar