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Kasaragod, Kerala: A 61-year-old retired doctor has been arrested in Kerala under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly molesting a minor girl during a counselling session at his residence. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local medical community and raised concerns about the safety of minors in sensitive environments.
According to police sources, the accused, who previously served as secretary at the Kanhangad District Homoeopathy Hospital, was taken into custody by Hosdurg police on Monday. He was subsequently produced before the Hosdurg Judicial First Class Magistrate Court and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
The case dates back to December 2023, when the 14-year-old victim visited the doctor’s house with her parents to seek counselling support. The complaint alleges that during her fourth visit, the doctor hugged and sexually assaulted her. The girl did not immediately disclose the incident but later confided in a school counsellor earlier this year, prompting the authorities to take action.
Following her disclosure, a case was initially registered by Chandera police. The investigation was later transferred to Hosdurg police, as the alleged abuse occurred within their jurisdiction. The accused now faces charges under relevant sections of the POCSO Act1.
This arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of cases involving alleged sexual offences by medical professionals across India. In a separate incident, a doctor in Chicalim was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy at his clinic, highlighting the urgent need for robust safeguards and reporting mechanisms in healthcare settings.
Disclaimer
The details reported above are based on allegations as per police and media sources. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
