SHILLONG, India, April 23 -- Meghalaya High Court issued the following judgment/order on March 23:
1. Heard Mr. S.D. Upadhaya, learned Legal Aid Counsel, who has submitted that the accused/applicant has filed an appeal before this Court, being aggrieved by the impugned judgment dated 08.12.2022 and related order of sentence dated 22.12.2022 passed by the Court of the learned Special Judge (POCSO), Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh in POCSO Case No. 38 of 2015, whereby, he was directed to undergo (i) imprisonment for a term of 7 years with fine of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand) only, under Section 10 of the POCSO Act, (ii) imprisonment for a term of 7 years with fine of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand) only, under Section 354B IPC and (iii) imprisonment for a term of 20 years with fine of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand) only, under Section 376 (2) IPC, and in default thereof, to undergo another 1(one) month imprisonment for each default.
2. However, while preferring an appeal, a delay of 1105 days has occurred, the reason being that the accused/applicant is an illiterate person, economically backward with no means to engage a counsel. Thereafter, a Legal Aid Counsel was provided to him, and eventually, the appeal was prepared by the Legal Aid Counsel. It is therefore prayed that the delay be condoned and the appeal be admitted.
3. Mr. R. Gurung, learned GA appearing for the State respondent has no objection to the prayer for condonation of the delay.
4. On consideration of the submission made, we find that there are good grounds for the appeal to be heard on merits. Accordingly, the delay of 1105 days in preferring the appeal is hereby condoned.
5. Registry is directed to diarize the appeal and list it for admission on 01.04.2026.
6. Misc. Case disposed of.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
