ORDER

This bail application is filed under section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita , 2023 (for short ‘ BNSS ’).

2. Petitioner is the accused in Crime No. 1154/2025 of Perumbavoor Police Station, Ernakulam, registered alleging offences punishable under Section 7 , Section 8 , Section 9 (l) and Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Amended), 2012, 2019, (for short, ‘POCSO Act’).

3. According to the prosecution, the accused had, during the period from 2022 July till 2023 December, while serving as a doctor in an Ayurveda hospital, had sexually assaulted the defacto complainant by pressing on her breasts, thighs and her tummy and thereby committed the offences alleged.

4. I have heard Sri. P.K. Ramkumar, the learned counsel for the petitioner, Smt. Raji S., the learned counsel for the defacto complainant and Sri. Noushad K.A., the learned Public Prosecutor. 5. Petitioner is alleged to have sexually assaulted the minor victim during the period from 2022 July t