O R D E R

The petitioner is the accused in Crime No.835/2023 of Ulikkal Police Station, Kannur District alleging commission of offences under Section 354 A (1) (i) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 7 read with Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act , 2012 (the POCSO Act). 2. The allegation against the petitioner is that on 11-11-2023 at about 12. 30 p.m when the victim girl aged 13 had visited the grocery shop being run by the petitioner, the petitioner sexually assaulted her by catching hold of her private parts.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is absolutely innocent in the matter. It is submitted that the petitioner is a 70 year old man who has been running a grocery shop for many years. It is submitted that there has been absolutely no allegation of similar nature for all these years. It is submitted that the complaint is registered on the basis of some misunderstanding. It is submitted that the shop is open on all sides and is covered by CC TV. It is submitted that a verification of the CC TV images will show that the petitioner had not committed any offence as alleged against the petitioner.

4. Th