Kerala HC Dismisses Bail of Astrologer Accused of Sexual Assault on 16-Year-Old During Ritual Pretext
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath dismissed the bail application of an astrologer accused of assaulting a minor girl at his centre, citing bite marks, bloodstained dress, and a premeditated criminal act.
The High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam has dismissed the regular bail application of Rajan Babu alias Murari Thantri, a 47-year-old astrologer from Puthoor, Kollam, accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his astrology centre on 8 February 2026. Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath, sitting singly, found the accusation prima facie serious and the alleged act premeditated, pointing to medical evidence of bite marks on the victim's lips and bloodstained clothing recovered from the scene. The court saw no reason to disbelieve the victim's account as narrated in her First Information Statement. The bail application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 was accordingly dismissed on 18 May 2026.
The Alleged Incident at the Astrology Centre
The prosecution case, as reflected in the case diary, is that the victim, a 16-year-old girl, visited the applicant's astrology centre in Puthoor, Kollam District, on 8 February 2026 at 11.30 a.m., accompanied by her mother. The visit was made after obtaining a prior appointment for consultation.
During the consultation, the applicant allegedly told the victim and her mother that the girl was afflicted by an evil spirit and that special poojas were required to remedy the condition. On this pretext, the applicant took the victim to a separate room, purportedly to conduct the pooja.
Inside the room, the applicant allegedly instructed the victim to remove her dress as part of what he described as a ritual. When she refused, he allegedly assaulted her and attempted to commit sexual assault upon her.
The applicant was remanded to judicial custody on 9 February 2026, the day after the alleged incident. He is the sole accused in Crime No. 182/2026 registered at Puthoor Police Station, Kollam District.
Charges and Statutory Framework
The offences alleged against the applicant span two statutes. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the charges are under Sections 64(1), 74, 75(1)(i), 76, 115(2), and 118(1). Additionally, the applicant faces charges under Sections 3(b), 4(1), 7, and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, given that the victim is a minor aged 16 years.
The bail application was filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which governs the grant of regular bail.
Arguments Before the Court
Sri Vishnu Bhuvanendran, appearing for the applicant, submitted that the applicant had been falsely implicated and that no materials on record connected him to the alleged crime. The defence urged that the applicant was entitled to bail on that basis.
Sri M.C. Ashi, Senior Public Prosecutor, opposed the application. He submitted that the alleged incident was the result of intentional criminal acts on the part of the applicant and that bail ought not to be granted at this stage.
Court's Reasoning for Refusal
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath examined the case diary and found the accusation to be very serious. The court held that the material on record prima facie disclosed a premeditated criminal act on the applicant's part.
Three specific pieces of evidence weighed with the court. First, available medical records showed bite marks on the lips of the minor victim. Second, the victim had narrated the entire incident in her First Information Statement, and the court found no reason to disbelieve that account. Third, blood stains belonging to the victim were recovered from the place of occurrence, along with her bloodstained dress.
The applicant's counsel had pointed out that the final report had already been filed. The court acknowledged this but held that the filing of the final report did not alter the position, given the gravity of the allegations.
The court's refusal rested on the cumulative weight of the medical evidence, the victim's statement, and the forensic recovery from the scene, all of which, taken together, indicated a deliberate and planned act rather than a disputed or ambiguous encounter.
Outcome
Bail Application No. 2193 of 2026 was dismissed by Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath on 18 May 2026. The applicant, Rajan Babu alias Murari Thantri, remains in judicial custody. The court did not impose any conditions or grant any liberty to renew the application.