Hawker held for sexual assault bid on Nepali woman

The Tiruvannamalai Town police have registered a case against a 38-year-old hawker for attempting to sexually assault a woman devotee on Girivalam path near Arunachaleswara temple in the town. 

Police said G. Sait, a resident of Santhai Medu which falls under Tiruvannamalai Corporation limits. He worked as a hawker near the temple for many years.

Initial inquiry revealed that the survivor, a native of Nepal, was on a pilgrimage. She has been visiting various temples, shrines and ashrams in the town and nearby areas. On Monday, she was walking alone on the 14-km-long Girivalam path when the suspect Sait allegedly intercepted and tried to sexually assault her.

The accused fled the spot as the survivor screamed for help. Based on an online complaint to Tiruvannamalai SP M. Sudhakar, a case was registered and special teams were formed to nab the suspect. Police also analysed the CCTV footage on the path. Sait was arrested at his hideout in the town and lodged at the sub-jail in the town. Further probe is on.