In a dramatic turn of events, Sonia, one of the convicts in the nearly 24-year-old Relu Ram Poonia family murder case, continues to languish in prison. This is despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court granting her interim bail four days ago. The sole reason for her continued incarceration is the failure of both her marital and maternal families to furnish the mandatory bail surety.
A Stark Contrast in Release Fortunes
This situation presents a stark and telling contrast. Her husband and co-convict, Sanjeev Kumar, was released from jail on Saturday. His freedom came swiftly after his family promptly submitted the required bail bonds. On Friday, Sanjeev's mother, Rajbiri Devi from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, along with his uncle Rajendra, furnished bonds of ₹1 lakh each in the Hisar court. Crucially, these bonds were submitted only for Sanjeev's release.
Sources close to the unfolding drama point to an "apparent rift" between the convicted couple as the core reason behind the delay in Sonia's release. It appears that neither Sanjeev's family nor Sonia's own maternal relatives are willing to stand as surety for her. This collective refusal has effectively nullified the high court's bail order in her case.
Safety Fears and Legal Maneuvers
The family's reluctance is reportedly rooted in deep-seated apprehension. Some members have expressed serious concerns about their safety should Sonia be released. This fear is so potent that they are reportedly preparing to approach the Supreme Court to contest the bail order itself.
Advocate R S Khatana, who is representing Sonia, confirmed the bleak situation. He stated that no one approached the court on Monday to submit a bail bond on her behalf. The legal avenue for her release remains open, but without a financial guarantor, it is effectively blocked.
A Glimmer of Hope from an Unlikely Source
Amid this familial abandonment, a sliver of hope emerges from an unexpected quarter. There are indications that a family from Karnal may come forward to furnish the necessary bail bond for Sonia. Reportedly, Sonia became acquainted with this family during her time in prison and assisted its female members. However, this potential act of support remains unconfirmed and hangs in the balance.
Advocate Khatana has expressed hope that a surety may finally step forward on Tuesday. He added that some individuals had contacted him over the weekend regarding the issue, suggesting that efforts are ongoing behind the scenes to secure her release.
The case continues to highlight not just the legal complexities but the profound human conflicts that can persist long after a courtroom verdict. Sonia's fate now depends on finding someone willing to vouch for her, a basic requirement that has exposed startling fractures within her closest relationships.
