A 42-year-old private tourist guide, Venkatesan, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 46-year-old French national atop Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai.

NEW DELHI: A 42-year-old private tourist guide was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a French national in this temple town, police said on Thursday.
The accused, Venkatesan, reportedly took the 46-year-old victim to a meditation spot atop Arunachala hill, where he allegedly assaulted her. The woman raised an alarm, following which passing devotees rescued her, police added.
She later informed the French Consulate, which took up the matter with local authorities. Acting on the complaint, the All Women Police arrested the accused on Wednesday.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Venkatesan had been accompanying the tourist since her arrival in January, taking her to various ashrams as part of a spiritual tour. She had been staying at a private lodge in Tiruvannamalai, police said.
(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)