TIRUCHY: Ariyalur police on Wednesday arrested a mason under Pocso Act for sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl. The accused Balakumar (36), a mason from Pappakudi village in Ariyalur, went to the Meesurutti area for construction work and came to contact a 16-year-old girl from the locality.

Despite being married and having two children, Balakumar hid the fact and promised the girl of marrying her and continued the relationship.

According to police, he took the girl to Kattumannarkovil and sexually abused the girl. When the girl insisted on marrying her, Balakumar revealed the fact that he had already been married. Subsequently, the girl informed her parents who lodged a complaint with Jayankondam All Women Police.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Balakumar under various IPC sections including Pocso Act and were searching for him. On Wednesday, the police arrested Balakumar from a hideout. Further investigations are on.