BENGALURU: A 32-year-old dance master was arrested on charges of harassing a 17-year-old girl when he took her for a drive in his car. The accused is Hoskote resident Bharathi Kannan. Police said the incident occurred around 11am on May 24.

The girl, who completed her PU, was trying to get admission to a private college. She wanted to secure an education loan and went to a bank in Kadugodi to get details about the procedure.Kannan, who was driving his car, spotted the girl walking alone on the roadside. He approached her and introduced himself as a dance master. He told her he’d like to teach her dance and make her a celebrity, and asked her to get into his car. The girl initially didn’t pay attention and continued to walk. However, Kannan pursued her and convinced her to get into the vehicle, police said.Kannan took her for a drive and started to sexually harass her by touching her inappropriately. The girl warned him and tried to get out of the car, but he’d locked the doors. The teenager then started crying for help and banged on the window glass to catch the attention of passersby. Kannan then drove back to the place where she was picked up and left her there. Cops initially suspected the girl might have known the dance master. However, during investigation, they discovered she met Kannan for the first time and was swayed by his assurances of making her a star dancer. A case of sexual harassment and under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act was registered. Kannan was arrested Wednesday and remanded in judicial custody.