Meghalaya HC dismisses appeals, upholds 10-year sentences in 2016 POCSO case

Shillong, July 16: The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of three men and dismissed their appeals in a 2016 gangrape case from West Khasi Hills.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh rejected the appeals filed by Cleverstrein Marngar, Proningstar Marngar and Basnes Ryntathiang.

All three were earlier convicted by the Special Judge (POCSO), Nongstoin under Section 5(g) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act and sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment with a Rs 25,000 fine.

The case relates to the rape of a 15-year-old girl on 11.09.2016.

An FIR was registered at Nongstoin Police Station after the survivor’s mother lodged a complaint.

Eight persons were arrested.

Three were tried as juveniles, while five faced trial in the Special Court.

Only three challenged the trial court’s 2022 verdict.

The High Court held that the prosecution proved the key facts — that the victim was a minor, that sexual assault occurred, and that the appellants were involved.

It relied on the survivor’s testimony, corroborated by her friend, family members and medical evidence.

The court also cited the Test Identification Parade conducted in Shillong jail, where the survivor identified the accused.

The Bench rejected the defence claim of prejudice due to late alteration of charges, noting that both sides were given a chance to recall witnesses after the charge was changed in 2022, but the appellants did not use it.

Finding no merit, the court dismissed all three appeals and affirmed the 10-year jail terms.

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