Tourist guide arrested for assaulting French tourist in Tiruvannamalai

A tourist guide in Tiruvannamalai, India, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a French tourist. The suspect, named Venkatesan, is 42 years old and lives in the town. The incident occurred on March 17, 2025, near the Arunachaleswara Temple. The 46-year-old French woman had been in Tiruvannamalai since January, staying in a local lodge. Venkatesan had shown her various ashrams and pilgrimage sites, claiming that meditating on Arunachala Hills would bring salvation. On that day, he took her to a secluded area in the hills under the pretense of finding a suitable meditation spot. Reportedly, he then assaulted her. The woman raised an alarm, and nearby devotees and passersby came to her rescue. Afterward, she contacted the French Consulate about the incident. Following their complaint, local police registered a case. Medical tests were conducted at the Government Medical College Hospital. As part of the investigation, the police learned that locals had seen the woman with Venkatesan while climbing the hills. Several tourist guides were identified, and the woman successfully identified Venkatesan among them. He was arrested soon after. Authorities noted that climbing the hills is usually prohibited to prevent fires and ensure safety. Only specific permissions are granted during special events like Maha Deepam. The investigation is ongoing.