Thane: The Thane police have arrested a 21 years old youth from Purna village in Bhiwandi tehsil on the charge of molesting and assaulting a 17 years old girl.

Ghanshyam alias Shivu Singh, the accused, a painter by profession, was arrested on Saturday night, said the police sub-inspector B G Bhusara of Kapurbawdi police station. Singh, who knew the girl, had made advances towards the girl in the past too, according to the police.

On the new year day he asked her to go with him to a mall in the city for celebrating her birthday, and when she refused, he slapped her and molested her, according to her complaint. The incident took place in Kapurbawdi locality of Thane. He also allegedly threatened to harm her parents and her brother.

Singh has been booked for molestation and assault as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

He was remanded by a local court in two-day police custody on Sunday.