Meghalaya high court reduces sentence of convict in minor rape case

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya high court has modified the sentence of imprisonment for an individual convicted of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl, reducing it to 10 years.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the girl's mother with the Sohiong police outpost in Meghalaya on November 3, 2017, leading to the arrest of Rajingstar Thabah.

Initially, the Special Judge (POCSO) in Shillong had pronounced judgment on July 11, 2022, sentencing Thabah to 18 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000.

Additionally, Thabah faced an additional three months of simple imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine, which was directed to be given to the victim.

However, on March 07, the division bench of Meghalaya high court comprising chief justice S Vaidyanathan and Justice W Diengdoh, hearing a criminal appeal, modified the sentence.

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The court allowed the appeal in part, reducing the imprisonment term to ten years and maintaining the fine of Rs 20,000.

The Meghalaya high court specified that if the fine had not already been paid, it should be disbursed to the victim girl, as directed by the trial court.

Furthermore, the Meghalaya high court clarified that Thabah would be eligible for set-off under section 428 of the code of criminal procedure for the period of detention already served.

The judgment upheld the decision of the trial court in all other aspects, except for the reduction in the duration of imprisonment.