SC Refuses to Stay Sonam Raghuvanshi's Bail, Hearing on July 9

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued for the state, describing the case as a "pre-determined murder" and citing a chargesheet that alleges Raghuvanshi participated in the killing alongside three co-accused. He said a supplementary chargesheet indicated she carried a gun as a "Plan B" to kill her husband. Mehta questioned how the same judge who earlier denied bail, citing flight risk and serious allegations, later granted relief without explaining the change.

Counsel for Raghuvanshi countered that grounds of arrest were not communicated at the time of arrest on June 9 and that she lacked legal representation then. The Supreme Court noted the relevant issue was whether those grounds were subsequently furnished.

The bench said it was "conscious" that Raghuvanshi had been incarcerated for a while. "We know that bail is the rule and jail is the exception. Regardless of how heinous the crime is, we will try to think of a balanced approach," the justices observed. The allegations will be tested at trial, they added.

The court directed Raghuvanshi to file a counter-affidavit. The next hearing is July 9.