SHILLONG, India, May 11 -- Meghalaya High Court issued the following judgment/order on April 9:
1. Heard Mr. M.F. Qureshi, learned Legal Aid Counsel for the applicant, who has submitted that the applicant has filed an appeal before this Court, being aggrieved and dissatisfied by the impugned judgment and order of sentence dated 17.10.2025 passed by the Court of the learned Special Judge (POCSO), South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat in Special (POCSO) Case No. 7 of 2023, wherein, he was directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 7 years with fine of Rs. 20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand) only, and in default thereof, to undergo simple imprisonment of one month.
2. However, while preferring an appeal, a delay of 112 days has occurred, the reason being that the family members of the applicant are facing financial constraints and has no means to engage a private counsel. As such, he could not prefer an appeal within the stipulated period of 60 days. Thereafter, a Legal Aid Counsel was provided to him, and eventually, the appeal was prepared by the Legal Aid Counsel. It is therefore prayed that the delay be condoned and the appeal be admitted.
3. Mr. R. Gurung, learned GA appearing for the State respondent has no objection to the prayer for condonation of the delay.
4. On consideration of the submission made, this Court is inclined to allow this application on being satisfied that the grounds cited for the delay contain sufficient cause. Accordingly, the delay of 112 days in preferring the appeal is hereby condoned.
5. Registry is directed to diarize the appeal and list it for admission after 1(one) week.
6. Misc. Case disposed of.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
