Mangalore: An autorickshaw driver named Mohammad Haneef from Handelu near Moodbidri has been arrested on the charges of attempting to rape a young girl after befriending her. He was parking his auto at the Vidyagiri auto park at Moodbidri.

The complaint, a Dalit girl from Kokkada in Belthangady,a sales representative in a house-ware store in Pumpwell who was on Moodbidri on Sunday was befriended by the driver and took around Handelu saying she would get enough customers. Enroute, he took the autorickshaw to a secluded area and  reportedly tried to outrage her modesty.

Moodbidri police are conducting investigations.