By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 9: The High Court of Meghalaya has quashed a POCSO case against a man, noting that he and the victim have since married and are raising three children together.
Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere passed the order on May 7 in response to a petition seeking the quashing of an FIR registered at the Madanrting Police Station under Sections 4, 6 and 17 of the POCSO Act.
The court observed that while the woman was a minor at the start of the relationship, the involvement was consensual.
The FIR had been initiated by a village head after the woman became pregnant. Following the woman attaining majority, the couple married according to local customs and later solemnised their union in church.
The bench noted that the couple now has three children, aged four years, two years and four months.
A report from the High Court Legal Services Committee confirmed that the woman is living happily with her husband and had no objection to the case being dropped.
The husband, a carpenter, is the sole provider for the family.
While quashing the proceedings, the court directed authorities to ensure the woman and her children receive benefits under various state and central welfare programmes, including health insurance and child protection schemes. Additionally, the court instructed the District Child Protection Officer and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to assist the woman in enrolling in the government’s ‘Back to School’ scheme and pursuing vocational training in tailoring within eight weeks.
