Shillong: In a powerful statement against crimes targeting the vulnerable, a special court in Khliehriat, Meghalaya, has handed down significant prison terms to two men convicted under the rigorous Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The rulings underscore the judiciary’s firm resolve to protect the state’s youngest citizens. Sawen Tangliang, after being found guilty by the Special Judge (POCSO) court in East Jaintia Hills District, received a harsh sentence of 25 years of rigorous imprisonment. He was also slapped with a fine of Rs 30,000. The conviction stems from a case registered at the Khliehriat Women Police Station, which was meticulously investigated by WPSI L. Siangshai, who filed charges against him in October 2023.
In a separate, yet equally crucial case, Ganesh, also known as Sangi Rai or Popo, faced a similar fate. He was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 20,000 for similar heinous offences against a minor. His case was also investigated with great care by the same officer, with the charge sheet being filed in November 2023.
These successful prosecutions highlight the efficacy of India’s stringent child protection laws, which were specifically designed to provide for severe penalties, including long prison terms, for those who commit sexual crimes against children.
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