ORDER

This application is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita , 2023 (for short, BNSS ), seeking pre-arrest bail.

2. The applicant is the sole accused in Crime No.42/2026 of Mulavukad Police Station, Ernakulam District. The offences alleged are punishable under Sections 376 , 376(2)(n), 354(D), 354(B), 506(i) and 506(ii) of the IPC and Section 66C of the Information Technology Act .

3. The prosecution case, in short, is that the applicant with intention to sexually exploit the defacto complainant, made acquaintance with her through Instagram in 2022, took her to the Island Home Hotel in Vallarpadam on several occasions in March, 2022, raped her, took her photos and videos and threatened her saying that he would sent them to her husband and relatives. He also took her to various places like Cheranallur, Vyttila, Marine Drive, raped her on various occasions after intoxicating her with drugs, threatened her saying that the photos and videos taken will be circulated on social media, also sent her photos to her husband and ther