Shillong, July 13: East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Syiem on Monday said the grant of bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, was the result of a clerical error in the arrest memo and does not signify that the prosecution has lost its case.

Speaking to reporters, Syiem explained that during Sonam’s arrest in Gazipur, police prepared three arrest-related documents. However, in the arrest memo, Section 403 was mistakenly mentioned instead of Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). He noted that Section 403 does not exist under the BNSS, and the clerical mistake became the basis on which the court granted her bail.

“It was purely a clerical error, and this mistake became the basis on which she was granted bail,” Syiem said.

The SP said the investigation involved coordinated efforts by multiple police teams deployed across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gazipur, while two officers from Shillong were also sent to assist in the operation.

Syiem confirmed that Sonam Raghuvanshi is currently out on bail and has been complying with all the conditions imposed by the court.

“She is abiding by the bail conditions and is appearing before the court whenever required,” he said.

Describing the bail as a setback to the investigation, the SP maintained that it does not weaken the prosecution’s case.

“It is certainly a setback to the investigation, but we have not lost the case. The trial will continue, and we will await the final verdict of the court,” he said.

He further informed that all documents sought by the Supreme Court have already been submitted to the Advocate General for the preparation of the prosecution’s arguments.

Syiem reiterated that the prosecution remains committed to pursuing the case and expressed confidence that the matter will ultimately be decided on the basis of evidence presented during the trial.