Payyanur (Kannur): A young woman was sexually assaulted during a physiotherapy session at a health clinic near the Payyanur bus stand here. 

Based on her complaint, Sarath Nambiar (42), son of a local Congress leader, was arrested by Payyanur police.

According to reports, the survivor alleged that Sarath, the owner of the wellness centre and gym, locked the treatment room from the inside and sexually assaulted her. Despite not being a physiotherapist himself, Sarath allegedly entered the room after female therapists had left the premises. The incident came to light when the survivor lodged a complaint with the police.

Upon receiving the complaint, authorities arrested Sarath on Monday night. He was presented before the court on Tuesday and subsequently remanded into custody.

Meanwhile, a group of individuals attacked Sarath's clinic premises on Tuesday afternoon, vandalising equipment and causing extensive damage to the establishment. The violence occurred after CCTV cameras were reportedly destroyed. The police immediately apprehended five individuals involved in the vandalism: E Kapil (32), MV Shanu (36), Akhil Bhaskar (29), E Ligin (28), and N Shyam (27).