Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere quashed six POCSO cases involving couples who started adolescent relationships and now live together as families. The court acted after confirming voluntary consent and stable domestic arrangements across East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, and Eastern West Khasi Hills. These cases often began during hospital visits or through external complaints, leaving many families without state support.
The court reviewed several specific cases. Thomas Shylla and his partner, who married in October 2026, faced charges from a 2023 FIR. Dakhutmeki Shylla and his partner have a six-year-old son, while a Shillong couple with two children sought to quash an FIR from January 2024. Similar relief was granted to Obenshon Lyngshiang and two couples from Mairang, one involving a father who had originally filed the complaint. These families often rely on limited incomes, such as a motor company salesman earning Rs 7,000 monthly or daily-wage labor.
Justice Dere emphasized that legal enforcement must account for local social realities. The court stated, "Rendering justice demands not only that the law be applied with precision, but also that it be tempered with fairness, compassion and empathy." The court noted that imprisoning these men would cause unnecessary hardship for the women and children already living as stable, albeit struggling, families.
The court ordered state authorities to ensure these families receive benefits from government programs. These include the Nirbhaya Fund, Mission Vatsalya, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and the Meghalaya Victim Compensation Scheme. Officials must now facilitate educational or vocational training for the women, including tailoring or beautician courses, depending on individual interests. Any awarded compensation must be placed in a fixed deposit until the woman reaches 25, though quarterly interest remains accessible.
Compliance reports are due to the court. Several cases are set for review on December 21, 2026, to ensure the state provides the required welfare support.
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