Shillong, July 17: A 21-year-old resident of Shillong, who was wanted in connection with a POCSO and rape case, surrendered before police at Laitumkhrah Police Station on July 16 and was subsequently arrested, East Khasi Hills Police said.
The accused, identified as Jonathan L. Pachau, appeared before the officer in charge of Laitumkhrah Police Station and was taken into custody. Police said he has been booked in Laitumkhrah Police Station Case No. 100/2026 under Sections 3, 4, 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and in Case No. 94/2026 under Section 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He will be produced before the competent court.
The arrest followed an extensive search operation launched after Meghalaya Police issued an all-India lookout notice and constituted a special investigation team to trace the accused. Investigators had also coordinated with Mizoram Police after receiving information that he might have fled the state.
Police said the investigation is continuing, with statements being recorded from additional complainants who have come forward. Earlier, investigators had already recorded the statement of the first complainant and collected relevant digital evidence as part of the probe.
Officials said they are also examining information indicating that there could be more victims linked to the case. Individuals who have contacted the police are being asked to formally record their statements and lodge FIRs wherever applicable.
The police reiterated that allegations circulating on social media should not be treated as established facts, adding that all claims are being verified through the investigation. A chargesheet will be filed after the inquiry is completed.
The case came to light after photographs of the accused and unverified allegations were widely circulated on social media, claiming that several young women had been sexually assaulted over a period of time. Police had maintained that only one formal FIR had initially been registered at Laitumkhrah Police Station on July 7 and had appealed to any other alleged victims to come forward and file complaints. Before his surrender, the accused had been declared absconding, prompting coordinated efforts by law enforcement agencies to trace him.
