Tour Guide Arrested for Assaulting French Tourist

A private tourist guide, Venkatesan, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a French tourist in a temple town. The victim was rescued by devotees and reported the incident to the French Consulate. The guide had taken her to various spiritual sites since her arrival in January.

A private tour guide in a temple town has been apprehended for allegedly assaulting a French tourist, police reported on Thursday.

The guide, identified as Venkatesan, aged 42, allegedly attacked the 46-year-old French national atop the Arunachala hill, a renowned meditation spot. The assault was interrupted by nearby devotees responding to the victim's alarm.

Following her rescue, the tourist notified the French Consulate, prompting an investigation by local authorities. She had been on a spiritual tour since January, visiting various ashrams before the incident, and had been staying at a local lodge.

(With inputs from agencies.)