The Meghalaya High Court has quashed a POCSO case and the related FIR against a Shillong man after he and the woman involved informed the court that they are now legally married and living together with the consent of both families.
Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere passed the order on July 6 while disposing of Criminal Petition No. 35 of 2026, bringing an end to the FIR registered at Rynjah Police Station in 2023 and the Special (POCSO) case pending before the Special Judge, East Khasi Hills District.
The petition was jointly filed by Trosbingroy Sad, also known as Rudolph Syiem, along with the complainant and the victim. They requested the court to terminate the criminal proceedings, stating that the couple had already begun living together as husband and wife.
An additional affidavit submitted on June 30 stated that both individuals had attained the age of majority and had solemnised their marriage under the Special Marriage Act on June 29, 2026, with effect from March 4, 2026.
The victim’s uncle, who had originally filed the FIR, appeared before the court and confirmed that he had no objection to the criminal proceedings being withdrawn in view of the marriage.
Earlier, the court had directed the couple to appear before the Secretary of the High Court Legal Services Committee. The report placed the petitioner’s age at around 25 years and the victim’s at 19 years. It confirmed that they were residing together at Umpling in Shillong along with the victim’s younger brother and that both families had accepted the relationship and subsequent marriage. The report also recorded that the couple had lost a child shortly after birth.
The victim told the committee that she was living happily with her husband of her own free will and supported the closure of the case. She also stated that she had not received benefits under any government welfare scheme and did not possess an Aadhaar card. She expressed her intention to complete Class X and later pursue tailoring training.
In reaching its decision, the High Court relied on its earlier judgment in Shalenbor Wahlang v. State of Meghalaya, which recognised that adolescent relationships in the state often culminate in marriage or cohabitation and held that POCSO proceedings may be quashed in appropriate cases where the victim’s consent is genuine and the parties are married or living together.
The court further directed the Child Protection Officer and the District Legal Services Authority of East Khasi Hills to verify whether the victim has received assistance under 15 central and state welfare schemes, including the POCSO victim compensation fund, Mission Vatsalya, Ayushman Bharat and the Meghalaya Victim Compensation Scheme. The authorities have also been instructed to facilitate her access to any eligible benefits.
The matter has been listed on September 7, 2026, for submission of a compliance report.
