The police have arrested a van driver from Coimbatore for sexually assaulting a private school student aged six on multiple occasions.

Ganesan (43), who had been working for a travel agency that operates services for school students, was arrested based on a complaint lodged by the mother of the survivor girl at the All Women Police Station (AWPS), Coimbatore east.

The woman stated in her complaint that she has been working in a city in another State and her daughter was under the care of her mother. She took her daughter to her workplace when the summer holidays started. However, she found her daughter unusually subdued, the police said.

According to the police, when the mother enquired, the girl complained of pain in her private parts, following which she was taken to a hospital. Based on the findings of doctors of suspected sexual assault, the women lodged a complaint at the AWPS on May 9.

Investigation by the police revealed that Ganesan sexually assaulted the girl inside the van in the absence of other students, after giving her chocolates. He also threatened the girl not to disclose the ordeal to anyone.

The police registered a case against Ganesan under different Sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and arrested him on May 10. He was remanded in judicial custody.