Meghalaya man gets 30-year rigorous imprisonment for POCSO offences against stepdaughter
Synopsis
A Shillong POCSO court has handed Teren Mawlieh 30 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting his minor stepdaughter — a case registered in East Khasi Hills in 2020. With nearly four years already served, he faces over 26 more years behind bars. The verdict highlights the POCSO framework's reach in Northeast India.
Key Takeaways
Teren Mawlieh was convicted by the Special POCSO Court, Shillong on 28 August for sexually assaulting his minor stepdaughter.
The court sentenced him to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, the most serious charge.
Separate sentences were also awarded under Sections 4, 8, and 10 of the POCSO Act, with fines totalling ₹1 lakh .
The case was registered at Mawngap police station on 7 December 2020 ; chargesheet filed on 5 February 2021 .
Having already served 3 years, 11 months, and 28 days , Mawlieh will serve an additional 26 years and two days .
A Special POCSO Court in Shillong has sentenced Teren Mawlieh to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting his minor stepdaughter, in a case originating from East Khasi Hills district in 2020. Special Judge (POCSO) M.K. Lyngdoh delivered the conviction on 28 August, marking a significant verdict under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Meghalaya.
Background of the Case
The case was registered at Mawngap police station on 7 December 2020, following allegations that Mawlieh had sexually assaulted his minor stepdaughter. Police filed charges under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the POCSO Act. Mawlieh was arrested during the course of the investigation, and a chargesheet was submitted before the court on 5 February 2021.
Sentences Handed Down by the Court
The court convicted Mawlieh under Sections 4, 6, 8, and 10 of the POCSO Act, awarding separate sentences for each offence. Under Section 6 — the most serious charge — he received 30 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹40,000; non-payment would attract an additional four months of imprisonment.
Under Section 4, Mawlieh was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined ₹30,000, with a default penalty of three months of simple imprisonment. For the offence under Section 8, the court imposed five years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000, with one additional month in default. Under Section 10, he was awarded seven years of imprisonment and fined ₹20,000, with a further month in default.
Time Already Served and Remaining Sentence
The court took into account the period Mawlieh had already spent in custody — three years, 11 months, and 28 days — while calculating his remaining sentence. According to police, he will now have to serve an additional 26 years and two days in prison.
Investigation and Key Officials
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the details of the verdict. The case was investigated by Women Police Sub-Inspector L. Kharjana, currently posted at the Women Police Station in East Khasi Hills. The investigation and prosecution are being seen as a demonstration of the POCSO framework functioning as intended — from prompt registration to conviction within a dedicated special court.
The verdict underscores the judiciary's resolve to apply the POCSO Act's stringent provisions in cases involving child sexual abuse within the family unit. With Mawlieh's remaining sentence stretching over two and a half decades, the case is likely to serve as a reference point for similar POCSO prosecutions in the Northeast.
Point of View
Conviction within four years. The POCSO Act's dedicated court mechanism is working in Meghalaya, but the real test is consistency across districts where infrastructure and women police units are thinner. Cases of intra-family child sexual abuse remain chronically under-reported in the Northeast; a publicised conviction like this one can shift that calculus. The ₹1 lakh in fines, however, is symbolic at best — victim compensation under the state's support scheme deserves equal scrutiny.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What sentence did the Meghalaya POCSO court hand down to Teren Mawlieh?
The Special POCSO Court in Shillong sentenced Teren Mawlieh to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, along with additional sentences under Sections 4, 8, and 10. He will serve approximately 26 more years after accounting for time already in custody.
When was the case against Teren Mawlieh registered?
The case was registered at Mawngap police station in East Khasi Hills district on 7 December 2020, following allegations that Mawlieh had sexually assaulted his minor stepdaughter. A chargesheet was filed before the court on 5 February 2021.
Which sections of the POCSO Act was Mawlieh convicted under?
Mawlieh was convicted under Sections 4, 6, 8, and 10 of the POCSO Act. Section 6, which carries the harshest penalty, resulted in 30 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹40,000.
How much time had Mawlieh already served before the verdict?
Mawlieh had spent 3 years, 11 months, and 28 days in custody before the conviction. The court factored this in, meaning he must now serve an additional 26 years and two days in prison.
Who investigated the case?
The case was investigated by Women Police Sub-Inspector L. Kharjana, currently posted at the Women Police Station in East Khasi Hills. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the details of the verdict.
