'It would be blessing': Malaysian model accuses Indian priest of sexual assault in temple

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Malaysian authorities have launched a manhunt for a priest accused of molesting Indian-origin actress and television host Lishalliny Kanaran during a visit to a temple in Sepang last month.

Kanaran, who won the title of Miss Grand Malaysia 2021, detailed the alleged assault in a powerful Instagram post, stating that the incident took place on June 21 at the Mariamman Temple.

According to her, the priest, an Indian national temporarily filling in for the temple’s regular priest, approached her under the pretense of offering a blessing.

“He said he had holy water from India and a protective string to tie for me. He asked me to meet him after prayers,” Kanaran wrote.

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A post shared by Lishalliny Kanaran (@lishallinykanaran)

She claimed she waited over an hour as he continued blessing other devotees, before being asked to follow him to his private office. There, she alleged, the priest splashed her with a “strong-smelling liquid” that irritated her eyes and then groped her. He reportedly told her to undress, claiming the ritual was “for her good.”

“He put his hands inside my blouse and touched me. He said it would be a ‘blessing’ if I did ‘it’ with him because he serves God,” she wrote, adding that she froze in shock and couldn’t move or speak. “That betrayal is what cuts the deepest,” she said. “It happened in a temple, a place I went to find peace.”

Kanaran said she filed a police complaint on July 4. By then, the suspect had already fled. She also claimed others had previously reported the priest for similar behaviour, but no action was taken.

According to Sepang District Police Chief ACP Norhizam Bahaman, the priest allegedly used religious rituals as a means to carry out the assault. Police are currently investigating and searching for the suspect.

The actress also revealed that a police officer initially warned her against speaking out publicly, saying she would be blamed. Despite that, Kanaran decided to go public, saying she refused to remain silent.

“I was molested by that priest. And I couldn't react. But I will not be silenced,” she stated.