T’puram: Kovalam police on Saturday arrested an 18-year-old youth in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl, in a case registered under Pocso Act.According to police, the accused, an Adimalathura native, had befriended the survivor through social media and gradually gained her trust.Police said the accused allegedly subjected the girl to sexual abuse on multiple occasions. The incidents reportedly took place at the accused’s residence as well as at the survivor’s home. Police sources said the offence came to light following a complaint by the girl, after which a case was registered.The parents noticed that the girl was showing signs of depression. Following counselling, she disclosed the incidents to them.Police took the accused into custody and formally recorded his arrest. He was later produced before a local court, which remanded him in judicial custody.Police officials said further probe is under way to ascertain the duration of contact between the accused and the minor girl, and to examine the circumstances under which the incidents occurred. Authorities are also looking into the nature of communication between the two on social media as part of the probe. TNN
