The Andhra Pradesh police on 2 September, arrested a local pastor in Mylavaram in Krishna district, on charges of sexually harassing a 21-year-old girl, and assaulting her mother on 29 August.

The 45-year-old pastor, identified as M Samuel, who has a 20-year-old daughter himself, was allegedly harassing the 21-year-old to 'fulfill his lust', TNIE reported.

When the girl's mother shifted her to a relative's house after learning of the pastor's advances, the accused went to their home on 29 August and allegedly assaulted the mother for doing so.

Following this, the girl's mother filed a complaint and a case was registered against Samuel. He was produced in a local court and sent to judicial remand.

The pastor was booked under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.