A 20-year-old man was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl after promising to marry her.Police said the accused, Pradeep of Omalur in Salem district, came into contact with the minor in the district through Instagram. The two had reportedly been in a relationship for the past two years.According to the police, Pradeep asked the girl to come to Erode in March and allegedly took her to a secluded park, where he sexually assaulted her on the promise of marriage. He later sent her home and returned to Omalur. Thereafter, he allegedly stopped communicating with her.When the girl later visited Pradeep’s house, she learnt that he had married another woman from the same locality on June 18, 2026. The complaint further alleged that when she questioned his parents, they refused to accept the marriage proposal and threatened her.The girl and her mother subsequently contacted the Child helpline (1098) and later lodged a complaint with the police against Pradeep and his father.Based on the complaint, the police registered a case under the POCSO Act and other applicable sections. Pradeep was arrested on Tuesday night (July 28, 2026), produced before a court, and remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is under way. Published - July 29, 2026 06:05 pm IST