Shillong: The High Court of Meghalaya quashed a POCSO case against an East Garo Hills man on July 16. Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere set aside an FIR from June 2023 at Williamnagar Women Police Station. The court prioritized family stability over rigid prosecution. It ruled that the state’s matrilineal traditions must carry weight in cases involving consensual adolescent relationships.
The couple now lives in Saminindikim village with their three-year-old son. They officially married on June 30, 2026. The judge noted that continuing the trial would harm the mother and child more than dropping it. The court stated, "Social realities" of Meghalaya cannot be ignored. This decision aligns with the precedent in Shalenbor Wathang vs State of Meghalaya.
Justice Dere ordered state support to ensure the woman gains financial independence. She must receive benefits from the Meghalaya Victim Compensation Scheme, Mission Vatsalya, Ayushman Bharat, and Mission Shakti. The District Child Protection Officer and the District Legal Services Authority must help her get training in tailoring and baking.
Any compensation will sit in a fixed deposit under her name until she turns 25. She will collect interest every three months. A support person will help the family with paperwork. The court set a follow-up hearing for September 14, 2026, to check on the compliance report.
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