A day after prime accused Sonam Raghuvanshi was granted bail due to serious lapses in police documentation, the second accused, Raj Kushwaha, has approached the court seeking similar relief on grounds of parity.
Kushwaha’s counsel, Phuyosa Yobin, confirmed that the bail plea was heard on Wednesday. The defense argued that since the main accused has already secured bail, Kushwaha should also be granted the same benefit under the legal principle of parity. The court has reserved its order on the matter.
This development comes as a setback to the prosecution, following Tuesday’s decision by the court of Additional Deputy Commissioner (Judicial) D.R. Kharbteng to grant bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi. Despite a detailed 790-page charge sheet submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the court noted procedural irregularities in her arrest, which justified her release.
The court granted bail on a personal bond of ₹50,000 with two sureties. Sonam has been directed not to tamper with evidence, to attend all court hearings, and to remain within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case pertains to the alleged murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who went missing on May 23, 2025, during a visit to Meghalaya. His body was later recovered from a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra on June 2.
According to the SIT, Sonam Raghuvanshi conspired with Raj Kushwaha to eliminate her husband and allegedly hired three individuals—Akash Rajput, Anand Kurmi, and Vishal Singh Chauhan—to execute the crime.
Although the police filed an extensive charge sheet in September last year, recent procedural lapses in arrest protocols have weakened the prosecution’s position. Legal experts believe that if the bail granted to the prime accused stands, it may become increasingly difficult for the prosecution to keep the remaining accused in custody.
