Shillong: In a landmark judgement underscoring the nation’s commitment to child protection, a special court in Shillong has sentenced Teiboklang Wahlang, a 25-year-old resident of Mawngap village, to a rigorous 25-year imprisonment. The conviction, handed down by the Court of Special Judge (POCSO), East Khasi Hills, pertains to a violation under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Special Judge MK Lyngdoh, in delivering the verdict, also imposed a hefty fine of Rs 50,000 on Wahlang for the Section 6 POCSO Act offence. The court stipulated that should Wahlang fail to pay the fine, he would face an additional six months behind bars, ensuring financial accountability alongside the custodial sentence. Furthermore, Wahlang received a separate two-year sentence for criminal intimidation under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code, accompanied by a Rs 10,000 fine. Defaulting on this payment would result in an extra three months added to his imprisonment, highlighting the stringent nature of the legal repercussions for all his transgressions.
The meticulous investigation that led to this conviction was diligently carried out by WP/SI L. Kharjana of the District Executive Force, currently serving at the Women Police Station in East Khasi Hills, Shillong. This case stands as another testament to the efficacy of India’s specialised POCSO courts, which were specifically established to expedite trials concerning crimes against children, thereby ensuring swift and decisive justice for young victims and reinforcing the judiciary’s unwavering resolve against such heinous acts.
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