The Kerala police has arrested a senior journalist with a prominent Malayalam news channel for allegedly sexually harassing a junior.

Amal Vishnudas, who is currently the senior news editor at Mathrubhumi News, was taken into custody on Wednesday morning, following a complaint by a woman employee.

Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner Sparjan Kumar confirmed to TNM that Amal had been taken into custody by the Vanchiyoor police.

"The woman, who is working under Amal, filed a complaint with the DCP on Tuesday. After taking him into custody, we are in the process of questioning him," the Commissioner said.

Circle inspector SM Riyas confirmed to TNM that Amal has been booked under sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offences) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

In her complaint to the police, the woman accused Amal of sexually harassing her multiple times, reportedly after promising to marry her. According to reports, Amal and the young woman were in a relationship for almost one and a half years, and that he took advantage of her sexually on the pretext of marriage.

Amal had reportedly told the woman that his own marriage was in crisis, and that he would get a divorce soon, after which, he would marry her. However, after getting a divorce, Amal reportedly told the woman that he would not marry her.

The woman has also alleged that Amal threatened to destroy her career if she revealed the details of their relationship to anyone.

Moreover, the woman has also accused Amal of extorting money from her, on the pretext of paying for his father's medical expenses.

Meanwhile, Mathrubhumi News suspended Amal, pending inquiry, and announced it on the channel.

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Read: Does breaking the “promise of marriage” amount to rape? Activists divided over Kerala HC order