Psychologist held for sexually assaulting minor patient in Kollam

T’puram: A psychologist at a private hospital in Kollam was arrested for repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor girl who came to him for counselling, police said.The accused, Santosh Sukumaran, attached to a private hospital at Umayanalloor, was arrested by Varkala police after the victim’s parents filed a complaint.According to police, the girl visited the hospital for counselling sessions, accompanied by her mother. On one such occasion, Sukumaran took the child into a private room on the pretext of conducting a session in the mother’s absence, subjected her to sexual assault, and photographed her without clothing.The incident came to light only after the girl’s parents noticed a marked change in her behaviour. Concerned, they took her to another psychologist, during whose sessions the child disclosed what happened.During the investigation, police confirmed that Sukumaran raped the girl under the guise of providing therapy. The accused, who went into hiding in Thiruvananthapuram, was subsequently traced and arrested.The case was registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and relevant sections of Indian Penal Code. Police are examining whether there are other victims, given Sukumaran’s access to vulnerable patients in a clinical setting.