BABU THOMAS Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an application for regular bail.

(2.) The petitioner is the accused in Crime No. 18 of 2022 of Ernakulam Town North Police Station, Ernakulam District, alleging commission of offences under Sec. 7 r/w Ss. 8, 9(l) and 9(m) r/w Ss. 10, 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

(3.) The allegation against the petitioner is that in the year 2016, the petitioner sexually abused and touched the private parts of the victim girl at a time when she was studying in the 4th standard and was residing in an apartment complex at SRM Road, Kaloor. According to the prosecution, later, the victim girl and her family shifted their residence to a villa complex, where recently, the victim girl again came into contact with the petitioner. It is alleged that thereupon, the victim girl developed some trauma, following which, she was counselled and she revealed the instances of sexual abuse at the hands of the petitioner during the year, 2016.