The Meghalaya high court has modified the sentence of imprisonment for an individual convicted of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl, reducing it to 10 years.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the girl’s mother with the Sohiong police outpost in Meghalaya, leading to the arrest of Rajingstar Thabah.
Initially, the Special Judge (POCSO) in Shillong had pronounced judgment, sentencing Thabah to 18 years of rigorous imprisonment, and a fine of Rs 20,000.
However, on March 07, the division bench of Meghalaya high court heard a criminal appeal and reduced the imprisonment term to ten years while maintaining the fine of Rs 20,000. The court specified that if the fine had not been paid, it should be given to the victim girl.
Moreover, Thabah would be eligible for set-off for the period of detention already served. The judgment upheld the decision of the trial court in all other aspects, except for the reduction in the duration of imprisonment.