CHENNAI: A 61-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, accused of sexually harassing an eight-year-old girl, was arrested after he went missing from a government hospital, Greater Chennai Police said on Sunday.

The man was accused of sexually harassing the girl while she was travelling in his auto-rickshaw to school on October 30.

Following the alleged incident, the girl’s parents and relatives assaulted the driver, leaving him with injuries to his head and back, police said.

He was rescued by his son and admitted to the Periyar Nagar Government Hospital. Based on a complaint lodged by the girl’s mother, a case was registered at the W-36 Puzhal All Women Police Station under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

However, the accused went missing from the hospital at around 5.30 am on October 31.

Special police teams were formed under the supervision of the Kolathur Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Puzhal Assistant Commissioner of Police to trace him.

The accused was subsequently arrested, police said.