1 Serial No. 03 Regular List HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG Crl.M.C. No. 140 of 2026 Date of Decision: 20.07.2026 Shri. Ayam Sunil Khuman S/o – (L) Ayam Bidhy Khuman R/o-Langstiehrim, Khural Imphal Manipur .…Applicant/Accused Person - Versus - 1. The State of Meghalaya Represented by the Public Prosecutor 2. Miss XXX D/o-YYY Village-Mairang, P.S.- Nongstoin Dist- West Khasi Hills District Meghalaya. …… Opposite Parties Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge Hon’ble Mr. Justice B. Bhattacharjee, Judge Appearance: For the Petitioner/Appellant(s) : Ms. A. Surana, Legal Aid Counsel For the Respondent(s) : Mr. R. Gurung, GA Mr. S.A. Sheikh, GA i) Whether approved for reporting in Yes/No Law journals etc.: ii) Whether approved for publication in press: Yes/No 2026:MLHC:740-DB 2 ORDER (ORAL) 1. Heard Ms. A. Surana, learned Legal Aid Counsel for the applicant who has submitted that an appeal has been preferred before this Court by the applicant being aggrieved by the judgment and order dated 19.03.2025 passed by the learned Special Judge (POCSO), West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin, in Special POCSO Case No. 24 of 2020. However, in preferring the same, a delay of 421 days has occurred. 2. The applicant being unaware of any legal procedures or the limitation periods for filing appeals and due to the fact that the applicant is financially unstable, he could not, therefore, engage a counsel for his defence which led to the delay in preferring the appeal. The learned Legal Aid Counsel for the applicant vide this instant application prays that the delay in preferring the appeal may therefore be condoned. 3. Mr. R. Gurung, learned GA appears for the State respondent and has no objection to the prayer of the applicant. 4. We have considered the submission made by the parties and find that sufficient grounds have been shown for the delay to be condoned. 5. Accordingly, the delay of 421 days in preferring the related appeal is hereby condoned. 6. Registry to diarize the appeal and list the same for admission after 1(one) week. 7. Crl. Misc. Case is disposed of. (B. Bhattacharjee) (W. Diengdoh) Judge Judge Meghalaya 20.07.2026 “Tiprilynti–PS” 2026:MLHC:740-DB Digitally signed by TIPRILYNTI KHARKONGOR Date: 2026.07.20 17:26:01 IST