Overview

• The order covers the case filed by a young doctor who alleges repeated sexual assaults between 2021 and 2023 on the promise of marriage.
• Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that labelling physical intimacy as rape after a relationship ends is illogical and harsh.
• Bail conditions include appearing before the investigating officer on September 9 and 10 and not leaving India without court permission.
• Separately, Ernakulam Central Police registered a second FIR on August 21 under IPC Section 354 over a researcher’s complaint of a 2020 incident.
• Police had earlier issued a lookout notice after the July 31 rape FIR as he was reported absconding, and authorities are recording statements and reviewing additional complaints sent to the Chief Minister.