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A 27-year-old gym trainer has been arrested on charges of threatening and assaulting a 19-year-old woman and circulating an obscene picture of her on WhatsApp.
The woman, a college student, got acquainted with the trainer, Imthiyas Sheriff, in 2024 when she joined a gym. The two later developed a relationship, the police said.
According to the complaint, the woman stopped speaking to Sheriff after finding his behaviour inappropriate. He allegedly threatened to die by suicide if she cut contact, following which they resumed speaking. Sheriff later allegedly obtained an obscene photograph of the woman and used it to threaten her.
On September 28, Sheriff allegedly waylaid the woman while she was on her way to college, abused her, and assaulted her after an argument. Later that day, he allegedly shared her obscene photograph in a WhatsApp group she was part of.
Based on her complaint, the Secretariat Colony police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act (TNPHW Act), and the Information Technology Act.
The police arrested Sheriff, of Dasamahan Third Street, Otteri, on Friday. His mobile phone, allegedly used in the offence, was seized.
Sheriff was produced before a court on the same day and remanded in judicial custody.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-2464 0050)
Published – October 03, 2026 03:46 pm IST
