A Hindu pandit (priest) has been arrested after exploiting his position and committing sexual assault under the guise of a religious ceremony in Oshawa.
The victim and her family employed a Hindu pandit (priest) from the United States of America to visit them and perform a religious ceremony.
The pandit deceived the victim into believing she was possessed by evil spirits and needed a specific ceremony to heal herself. The suspect exploited the victim into attending a private location where the suspect sexually assaulted the victim under the guise of performing a religious ceremony.
Police were later contacted on Tuesday, August 25, when members of East Division responded to a sexual assault call in the area of Harmony Road North and Conlin Road East.
There May Be Other Victims: Police
The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Police have concerns there may be further victims. Name and photo of the accused can be viewed at www.drps.ca.
The suspect, age 50 from Richmond Hill, New York is charged with: Sexual Assault.
He was held for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact D/Cst. Cronin of the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1605.
Editor’s Note: Durham Post does not name or identify the accused as:
1. Of this time, they are suspect[s] and not convicted by a court, and
2. Sometimes charges are amended or dropped.