Crl.M.C./3/2026 of SANGKUNGA MILLER Vs STATE OF MEGHALAYA AND 2 ORS. on 29 January 2026

1. State of Meghalaya through its Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya.

2. The Office-in-Charge, Laithumkhrah Police Station, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya.

3. Smti. Edrin Teronpi, Daughter of Shri Jacob Teron, R/o Ladhalboh, Tyndowapung, Jowai P.S. Jowai West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya.

…..Respondents

Coram:

Hon’ble Mr. Justice B. Bhattacharjee, Judge Appearance: For the Petitioner/Appellant(s) : Mr. K.C. Gautam, Adv with

Mr. J.M. Sangma, Adv

For the Respondent(s)

: Mrs. N.G. Shylla, Sr.GA with

Ms. I. Lyngwa, GA (R:1-2)

(ORAL)

Heard Mr. K.C. Gautam, learned counsel appearing for the applicant and also Mrs. N.G. Shylla, learned Sr.GA appearing for the

State-respondent Nos. 1 - 2.

By this application, the applicant has prayed for suspension of the sentence awarded vide judgment and order dated 03.12.2025 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Shillong, in Criminal Appeal No.4 (H) of 2022 pending disposal of the connected Crl.Rev.P No.3 of 2026.

The applicant was made to face trial for an offence u/s 354 IPC before the Court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Shillong in GR Case No.994 (S)/2013. The Trial Court by judgment dated 30.03.2022 found the applicant is guilty and by the order dated 31.03.2022 sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for a period of 2 years. The applicant was granted bail by the learned Trial Court by order dated 04.12.2025 in order to enable him to prefer an appeal against the conviction. Thereafter, Criminal Appeal No.4 (H) of 2022 was preferred by the applicant before the Sessions Judge, Shillong, against his conviction and sentence by the Trial Court. The learned Sessions Court after hearing the parties, vide judgment dated 03.12.2025 upheld the conviction of the applicant but reduced the period of sentence from 2 years imprisonment to 3 months simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs.25,000/-. It was ordered that in default of payment of fine, the applicant will have to undergo further period of imprisonment for 1 month.

Though the conviction of the applicant was upheld, it appears that the Appellate Court by order dated 04.12.2025 granted bail to the applicant to enable him to challenge his conviction and sentence before the higher forum. The applicant, therefore, was not taken into custody after his conviction and has remained on bail throughout.

The materials on record reveal that the applicant is now aged about 79 years. There is nothing on record to show that the applicant has ever tried to jump the bail. Furthermore, there appears to be less likelihood of disposal of the connected Crl.Rev.P. No.3 of 2026 before the expiry of the period of sentence of the applicant. It is, therefore, ordered that the sentence awarded to the applicant vide judgment and order dated 03.12.2025 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Shillong, in Criminal Appeal No.4 (H) of 2022 shall remain suspended till the final disposal of the connected Crl.Rev.P. No.3 of 2026.

With the above, this application stands disposed of.

Judge

Meghalaya 29.01.2026 “Shrity,PS”

Digitally signed by SHRITY CH MOMIN Date: 2026.01.29 16:15:26 IST Signature Not Verified