The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued strict directions to prevent the burning of effigies of Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused in the sensational Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, during the upcoming Dussehra celebrations in Indore. The order came in response to a petition filed by her mother, Sangeeta Raghuvanshi, who argued that such acts would cause irreparable damage to the dignity and fundamental rights of her family. The case stems from the killing of Raja Raghuvanshi, who went missing on May 23, 2025, during his honeymoon in Meghalaya. His mutilated body was later discovered on June 2 near a ravine in Sohra (Cherrapunji). Sonam, along with her alleged boyfriend and several others, has since been arrested, but the controversy deepened when an Indore-based group, ‘Paurush,’ announced plans to include her image in an 11-headed effigy for symbolic “Surpanakha Dahan.”
Justice Pranay Verma, presiding over the case, ruled that effigy burning of accused individuals violates fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and protection of life and liberty. The court observed that regardless of the gravity of accusations, no citizen can be subjected to public humiliation or acts that compromise their dignity in the name of tradition or protest. The petitioner had submitted that targeting her daughter in this manner would not only malign the accused but also stigmatize the family, turning Dussehra festivities into a stage for unlawful public shaming. Taking note of pamphlets and other material prepared by the organisation, the court directed the district collector, police commissioner, and concerned station house officer to ensure no such activities take place.
Following the verdict, Sonam’s mother welcomed the ruling, calling it a crucial safeguard against “mob justice in the guise of culture.” She emphasised that even if her daughter faces serious charges, she still deserves a fair trial and constitutional protection. The High Court’s directive has wider implications, as it also bans the effigy burning of women accused in criminal cases from other states. In response, ‘Paurush’ convener Ashok Dashor stated that while the group had initially defended its plans as a symbolic fight against “adultery, immorality, and indecency,” it would abide by the court’s decision. The ruling highlights the judiciary’s stance that public festivities cannot be misused as platforms for targeting individuals under trial, reinforcing that justice must remain within the framework of law and not be swayed by social anger or spectacle.
