SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has upheld the 2013 judgment of the sessions court that awarded life imprisonment to Tenderlywell Hynniewta in the murder case of Corphilia Nongkynrih in 2002.
Nongkynrih’s body was found at Lawmali graveyard on the morning of September 7, 2002.
The judgment came from the division bench of the high court on October 4 after Hynniewta filed an appeal against the verdict of the lower court.
The trial of the murder had generated strong response from the civil society and women’s organisations who were demanding speedy trial and deterrent punishment against the culprit.
It was on September 6, 2002 that Tenderlywell had murdered his girlfriend, Corphilia (19), who was then seven-months pregnant, by slitting her throat at a graveyard at Lawmali, a Shillong suburb. However, after his arrest he was granted bail despite evidence of his involvement in the killing.
In 2008, the Court of District and Sessions Judge had sentenced Hynniewta to life imprisonment and three years of additional jail term with fine of Rs 6000, for the cold-blooded murder of his girlfriend in 2002.
However, after Tenderlywell appealed against the verdict in the High Court, the case was referred back to the District and Session Court for re-trial in February, 2012.
