A Hindu pandit (priest) has been arrested after exploiting his position and committing sexual assault under the guise of a religious ceremony in Oshawa, Ontario’s Durham Regional Police anounced on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, August 25, members of East Division responded to a sexual assault call in the area of Harmony Road North and Conlin Road East. The victim and her family employed a Hindu pandit from the United States 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 and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Police have concerns there may be further victims. A photo of the accused has been released and can be viewed at www.drps.ca
Rajendranauth Doodnauth Maraj, 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.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
Police said the information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.
