Ghaziabad: Woman molested during ‘tantric rituals’ – priest detained

Ghaziabad: A priest of the Sikri temple in Modinagar was arrested for allegedly molesting a 30-year-old woman and also forcing her to undress while performing tantric rituals on October 28 (Monday), officials said on Saturday.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m., when the woman and her sister-in-law went to the suspect’s house to analyze the horoscope. The suspect, identified as Amit Tripathi, a resident of Modinagar, was arrested on Thursday after the woman’s first report in the case was registered at the Modinagar police station, he added.

In her complaint, the woman stated that the man sent her sister-in-law to a nearby market to buy puja items. “He then repeatedly molested me after he started forcibly performing certain tantric rituals. He touched me while performing rituals, which I repeatedly resisted,” she said.

After the sister-in-law returned, the victim somehow freed herself and told everything to her family.

“Members of her family beat up the priest. A video of the incident was also prepared. The suspicious priest filed a report to the police. During the investigation, the woman told the police about her experiences and filed a police report. After an investigation, the priest’s claim of denying abuse was found to be incorrect. An FIR has been registered against the woman and the priest has been arrested under preventive detention,” said Gyan Prakash Rai, deputy commissioner of police, Modinagar district.

Officials said the priest was appointed as the ‘mahant’ (guardian) of the famous temple around three months ago.

The police registered an FIR against the accused under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 76 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe) on October 31.