O R D E R

This is the third bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita , 2023 (for short, BNSS ) seeking regular bail.

2. The applicant is the sole accused in Crime No.557/2025 of Vakathanam Police Station, Kottayam District. The offences alleged are punishable under Sections 3 (6), 4, 7, 8, 11(v) and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act , 2012 and Sections 63 (b), 64, 75(1), 78(1) and 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , 2023.

3. The prosecution case, in short, is as follows: The applicant had committed aggressive penetrative sexual assault on the minor victim and intoxicated her several times in between 26.08.2024 and 16.01.2025 by giving liquor to her. The applicant also provided a mobile phone to the victim. The applicant touched the breasts of the victim after intoxicating her by giving liquor on 16.01.2025 at 9.30 p.m. in a house that belonged to the relative of the victim and inserted his finger to the vagina of the victim and thereby committed the offences.

4. I have heard Sri.Binoy Vasudevan, the learned counsel for the applicant, Sri.Stephy K.Regi, the learned counsel for the defacto complainant and Sri.M.C.As