The Chief Operating Officer of Sun Network, Praveen C. (49), was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Friday on charges of sexual harassment of a woman colleague.

CCB sources said the 38-year-old woman, who had lodged a complaint, quit her job as programme head of the Malayalam channel Surya TV in Chennai in May after being repeatedly subjected to sexual abuse and humiliation at the workplace.

“As the complainant refused to put up with his harassment, Praveen used his official powers and abruptly transferred her to Kochi. She requested that the transfer be revoked as her child was attending school in Chennai and her mother was undergoing treatment, but he did not consider that. So she quit,” an investigating officer said.

Praveen reportedly continued to harass the woman by not clearing the final settlement, pending salary and other dues, following which she approached the city police, the officer added.

A CCB team picked up Praveen from his house at Anna Nagar early on Friday.

Following questioning, he was charged with offences such as sexual harassment at the workplace, criminal breach of trust and intimidation. He was remanded in judicial custody, sources added.