THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 22-year-old youth has been arrested by Sreekaryam police for attempting to molest a girl who was walking with her mother near Chavadimukku. The accused has been identified as Hail Raju, a native of Karipra in Kollam district.

The incident occurred as the girl was returning after visiting her sister, a student at an engineering college and hostel resident. According to police, the accused, who is employed at a nearby tea shop, allegedly attempted to grope the girl. She managed to evade the initial assault, but the accused struck her on the hand and continued to follow them.

Although the girl's mother quickly alerted local residents, the accused managed to flee. The girl and her mother later filed a complaint at the Sreekaryam police station. An investigation based on nearby CCTV footage led to the identification and arrest of the accused. Police revealed that Hail Raju had previously been remanded in connection with a similar case involving the harassment of a woman and chain snatching. He has now been produced before the court and remanded.