ORDER

This is an application seeking pre-arrest bail filed under section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita , 2023.

2. Petitioner is the accused in Crime No.369 of 2025 of Chittarikkal Police Station, Kasaragod, registered alleging offences punishable under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code , 1860, apart from section 6(1) r/w section 5(l) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act , 2012.

3. According to the FIR, the accused, who was the vicar of St.Pious Church, Athirumavu, had sexually abused the victim - a boy aged 16 years, during the period from 15.05.2024 to 13.08.2024 and also committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault on him during the said period and thereby committed the offences alleged.

4. Sri. P. VIjayabhanu, the learned Senior Counsel instructed by Smt. Nanditha S., the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the entire prosecution allegations are false and the petitioner is innocent of the allegations. It was further submitted that the crime has been registered due to an enmity of the father of the defacto complainant against the petitioner as petitioner had been rendering church ministry against drugs and alcohol and the def