US-based Hindu priest sexually abuses woman after telling her she was possessed, held
The accused priest told the victim that she was possessed by evil spirits and needed a specific religious ceremony to heal her, police said.
A 50-year-old Hindu priest from New York, Rajendranauth Doodnauth Maraj, has been arrested in Canada on charges of sexually assaulting a woman during a purported religious ceremony to heal her of evil spirits. According to Durham Regional Police, the victim's family had invited Maraj from the United States to perform the ceremony in Oshawa.
The priest convinced the woman that she was possessed by evil spirits and that a ritual was necessary to heal her. He then lured her to a private location, where he sexually assaulted her. The incident came to light when the victim's family reported the priest to the police on August 25. Maraj has been charged with one count of sexual assault.
Police are now investigating the possibility of additional victims and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
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