Shillong, April 23: The High Court of Meghalaya has quashed a POCSO case registered in 2022 after observing that the accused and the victim are now married and living together with their two children.
In an order dated April 23, 2026, Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere allowed a petition seeking quashing of an FIR registered at Mawryngkneng Police Station under Sections 5 and 6 of the POCSO Act.
According to the case details, the victim was 17 years old and the accused 21 at the time of the incident. The FIR was lodged after a medical officer reported the matter when the girl approached the health centre during pregnancy.
The petitioners submitted that they were in a consensual relationship and later married as per local customs in Meghalaya. The couple is currently living together as husband and wife and have two children—one aged over three years and another nine months old.
The court also relied on a report from the High Court Legal Services Committee, which confirmed that the woman is living with the accused voluntarily, without any coercion, and has no objection to quashing the case. The report further noted that the family is financially supported by the accused, who works as a mason, while the woman expressed interest in pursuing vocational training.
Taking into account the “peculiar facts” of the case, including the marriage, children, and informed consent of the victim, the court held that continuing the proceedings would not serve the ends of justice. It accordingly quashed the FIR and the pending trial before the Special POCSO Court in Shillong.
The High Court also directed authorities to ensure that the woman and her children receive benefits under various state and central government welfare schemes, including child protection, healthcare, and education support.
The matter has been listed for compliance on July 2, 2026.
