India, Aug. 28 -- A US-based Hindu priest has been arrested in Canada for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman under the guise of performing a religious ceremony after convincing her that evil spirits possessed her.

The Durham Regional Police said the incident came to light on August 25, 2026, when officers from the East Division responded to a sexual assault call in the area of Harmony Road North and Conlin Road East.

Police identified the suspect as Rajendranauth Doodnauth Maraj, a Hindu priest from the United States.

"The victim and her family employed a Hindu pandit (priest) from the United States of America to visit them and perform a religious ceremony," police said in a statement.

The suspect allegedly exploited the situation ...