Meghalaya High Court
Date Of Decision: 24.03.2026 vs State Of Meghalaya Through The on 24 March, 2026
Author: W. Diengdoh
Bench: W. Diengdoh
2026:MLHC:264
Serial No. 02
Supplementary List
HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA
AT SHILLONG
Crl.M.C. No. 40 of 2026
Date of Decision: 24.03.2026
Shri Anand Swarup Rai
Son of (L) Ramprit Rai,
(Convict presently serving sentence at
District Jail, Jowai).
Resident of Chakhaje Village,
P.S. Tisiauta, Vaishali District, Bihar.
........ Applicant/Petitioner
- Vs-
State of Meghalaya through the
Commissioner & Secretary to the
Government of Meghalaya,
Department of Home (Police),
Civil Secretariat, Shillong.
......... Respondent
Coram:
Hon'ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge
Appearance:
For the Petitioner/Appellant(s) : Ms. R. Dutta, Legal Aid Counsel.
Mr. S. Chanda, Adv.
For the Respondent(s) : Ms. S. Shyam, GA
i) Whether approved for reporting in Yes/No
Law journals etc.:
1
2026:MLHC:264
ii) Whether approved for publication
in press: Yes/No
JUDGMENT AND ORDER (ORAL)
1. Heard Ms. R. Dutta, 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 dated 06.12.2024 and
related order of sentence dated 09.12.2024 passed by the Court of the learned
Special Judge (POCSO), East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat in POCSO Case
No. 26 of 2021 under Section 7/8/9(m)/10 of the POCSO Act, 2012.
2. However, while preferring an appeal, a delay of 408 days has occurred,
due to circumstances which is beyond the control of the applicant, inasmuch as,
there was no support from his family members/relatives, as such, he could not
prefer an appeal within the prescribed period of limitation. 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. Ms. S. Shyam, 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
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2026:MLHC:264
contain sufficient cause. Accordingly, the delay of 408 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.
Judge
Signature Not Verified 3
Digitally signed by
DARIKORDOR NARY
Date: 2026.03.24 17:53:21 IST