Sun Sep 28 08:37:38 UTC 2025: ## News Article:

**Indore Court Blocks Effigy Burning of Woman Accused in Honeymoon Murder Case**

**Indore, September 28, 2025** – The Madhya Pradesh High Court has intervened to prevent a planned effigy burning targeting Sonam Raghuvanshi, a woman accused of orchestrating the murder of her husband during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. The order came after an Indore-based organization, “Paurush,” announced its intention to include Ms. Raghuvanshi in an 11-headed effigy for “Surpanakha dahan” during the upcoming Dasara festivities, alongside other women accused of heinous crimes.

Raja Raghuvanshi went missing on May 23rd during the couple’s honeymoon, and his mutilated body was discovered in a ravine near a waterfall in Sohra, Meghalaya, on June 2nd. Ms. Raghuvanshi, along with her alleged boyfriend and others, has been arrested in connection with the case.

Justice Pranay Verma ruled that burning an effigy of Ms. Raghuvanshi would violate her fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, guaranteeing equality before the law and the right to life and personal liberty. The order was issued in response to a petition filed by Ms. Raghuvanshi’s mother, Sangeeta Raghuvanshi, who argued that the effigy burning would cause irreparable damage to her family’s dignity.

The court emphasized that even if Ms. Raghuvanshi is an accused in a criminal case, the organization’s actions constituted an unlawful and unconstitutional act of public humiliation. The order also prohibits the organization from burning effigies of any women facing criminal charges from other states.

Sangeeta Raghuvanshi told PTI that the court had directed local authorities to ensure the order is enforced.

Ashok Dashor, convener of ‘Paurush’, stated that the organization would comply with the court’s direction, despite their initial justification of the effigy burning as a symbolic destruction of negative qualities.

The case has drawn significant attention, raising complex questions about public justice, media portrayal, and the rights of the accused.

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