CHENNAI: The Chennai suburban police on Saturday arrested a pastor in Pattabiram near Avadi on charges of sexual harassment of a minor girl in his neighbourhood.

The girl's father approached the suburban commissioner with the complaint last Tuesday. After investigation found a prima facie case against the pastor, the police decided to arrest him. He has been charged under Section 354 IPC (outraging the modesty of a woman) and Section 4 of Women's Harassment (Prevention) Act.
"We arrested him based on the complaint given by Arumugam. He doesn't seem to have a history of such a crime, but we are investigating," said the inspector.

P Arumugam, a government employee residing in Pattabiram complained to the suburban police that Paul Sundar, a pastor attached to Bestha AGS Sabhai living in his street sexually harassed his 17-year-old daughter.

Arumugam alleged that during October, Sundar raped another minor girl in the neighbourhood. In his statement, Arumugam said there were complaints about Sundar misbehaving with women four years ago, but he maintained his regards for the pastor. On March 9, 2011 when Arumugan and his wife returned home, their daughter complained that the pastor had tried to sexually assault her. Immediately he called Paul and warned him. He also informed the church.

After knowing about the complaint, Paul sent a legal notice to Arumugam and his family allegedly levelling false charges against them. Arumugam then filed a petition with the suburban police. Chennai suburban commissioner Karan Singha asked Avadi inspector K Madheshwaran to investigate the matter.

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