Chennai, Jan 31 (IANS): A garments shop owner arrested by Tamil Nadu police on the charge of raping his son's girlfriend earlier this week has been remanded in custody, police said on Friday.

According to police, accused Nithyanandam did not approve of his son N. Mukesh Kannan's love affair with the young woman and wanted them to separate. Nithyanandam called the woman for a meeting on the pretext of discussing his son's proposed marriage with her.

Once the woman arrived at his house in Sembodai in Nagapattinam district, he tied a 'mangalsutra' around her neck and raped her, police said. Nithyanandam also took away her mobile phone. Later, the woman was allegedly confined at his friend's house.

After Kannan came to know of the developments, he rushed to Sembodai to rescue the woman and registered a police complaint.

Police said along with Nithyanandam, the couple who confined the woman at their home were also arrested and remanded in custody on Wednesday.