Shillong: The family of Raja Raghuvanshi has welcomed the surrender of prime accused Sonam Raghuvanshi and said it will continue to seek stringent punishment for those accused in the murder case.
Raja’s brother, Bipin Raghuvanshi, who arrived in Shillong on Tuesday, said he had come to appear before the court in connection with the ongoing proceedings in the case.
Speaking to reporters in Shillong, Bipin said he was informed about Sonam’s surrender and also saw her during a video-conferencing proceeding from jail.
“I came to Shillong yesterday because I was given a date to appear in court today,” he said.
Reacting to the latest development, Bipin said the family would be satisfied only when Sonam and the other accused receive the maximum punishment under the law.
“We will be happy when Sonam and the other accused are given the strictest punishment possible. If possible, they should be given the death penalty,” he said.
He said the family would be able to find peace only after justice is delivered.
Bipin also said the trial in the case should be completed at the earliest and expressed hope that Sonam would remain in custody until the conclusion of the proceedings.
“For now, Sonam has gone to jail. The trial against her should be completed as soon as possible. After the trial, Sonam should be given life imprisonment,” he said.
Bipin further raised concerns over what he described as a lack of adequate institutional mechanisms to address complaints made by men, particularly in cases involving alleged harassment or abuse in relationships.
He alleged that while complaints made by women are often acted upon immediately, complaints made by men are not always given the same consideration.
“When a woman goes to a police station and files a complaint, immediate action is taken. But when a man goes to the police station and says he has been tortured by his wife or girlfriend, his complaint is not immediately heard,” he alleged.
On the Meghalaya government’s decision to pursue the matter following the High Court’s bail order, Bipin said he was hopeful that the legal process would ultimately ensure justice for Raja.
The Supreme Court had directed Sonam to surrender, following the legal proceedings surrounding the Meghalaya High Court’s bail order.
Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly murdered during his honeymoon trip to Meghalaya in May, with the case subsequently leading to the arrest of Sonam and other accused persons.
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