'Trust Between Husband and Wife Is Diminishing': Supreme Court During Sonam Raghuvanshi Bail Hearing

The bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale made the observations while allowing the Meghalaya government's appeal against the order granting bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of conspiring with hired assailants to murder her husband during their honeymoon in Meghalaya in May 2025.

Reflecting on changing societal dynamics, Justice Sundresh remarked: "Such incidents are bound to happen in a changing society... Modern-day generation is restless. They want quick solutions to problems. We will have a lot of cases of personal laws."

The bench observed that although the younger generation may have greater access to information, they are less equipped to deal with disappointment and emotional pressures.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Meghalaya government, submitted that while social media has increased access to information, it has not necessarily translated into knowledge.

Justice P.B. Varale added: "In today's time, whatever is being shared on WhatsApp is being treated as knowledge."

During the hearing, Mehta also referred to changing marital relationships, stating: "There are comic reels where husband goes to honeymoon with bodyguards. That trust or relationship between a man and a woman who become husband and wife is diminishing. Earlier, the joint family system used to take care of the relationship."

Responding to the submission, the bench observed that the decline of the joint family system has affected people's ability to cope with setbacks.

"If you are a member of a joint family, you will learn to take disappointment and will adjust. In a nuclear family, you cry at small things. You get agitated if you do not get them."

The Court further remarked on the impact of technology on children and emotional development.

Justice Sundresh observed: "Children will learn from uncles, aunts and grandparents. Recently, I saw a child was crying in a hotel and immediately, the parents gave a mobile phone and the child stopped crying."

He added: "This is the larger problem. Instead of emotions, they are giving a gadget."

The bench also remarked that "the present-day mind is an extremely animated one" and that people "get agitated for small things."

During the hearing, the Court cancelled the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi holding that her continued release could hamper the ongoing trial. The bench set aside the June 29 order of the Meghalaya High Court granting bail to Raghuvanshi. However, the Court granted her liberty to seek fresh bail before the trial court if the proceedings are not concluded within six months. Allowing the State of Meghalaya's appeal, the bench observed: "We are inclined to observe that the continued enlargement of the respondent will hinder the ongoing trial."

The observations came while the Court set aside the Meghalaya High Court's order granting bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi. The Supreme Court held that her continued release could impede the ongoing trial and directed her to surrender within three weeks, while granting her liberty to seek fresh bail if the trial is not concluded within six months.

Sonam Raghuvanshi was arrested in June 2025 after the body of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was recovered from a gorge in Meghalaya days after the couple went missing during their honeymoon. The prosecution alleges that she conspired with hired assailants to murder him for financial gain.

Case Title: State of Meghalaya v. Sonam Raghuvanshi@ Bitti@ Bittu

Bench: Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale

Hearing Date: July 23, 2026