Badrinath Priest Held for "Molesting Pregnant Woman"

Daily Mail
February 4, 2014

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2551793/Badrinath-priest-held-alleged-molestation-pregnant-woman.html

The chief priest of one of the holiest Hindu temples, Badrinath shrine, was arrested for molesting and wrongfully confining a 28-year-old pregnant woman inside a hotel at Chhatarpur area, the Delhi Police said on Tuesday.

Besides the Mukhya Rawal (chief priest), his cousin has also been held for his role in the incident.

According to the police, Keshawan Namboodiri, 38, and his cousin Vishnu Prakash, 33, are natives of Kerala.

Badrinath Temple at Chamoli, Uttarakhand, where the holy man worked

Namboodiri is believed to have been associated with the temple for the past several years.

The complainant lives in an upscale South Delhi area and her father runs a reputed three star hotel in Uttarakhand.

As Namboodiri used to visit the hotel regularly, they were acquainted with each other. Namboodiri and Vishnu arrived in the Capital on February 2 and had booked a room at hotel Delight in the Chhatarpur area of south Delhi, the police said.

The alleged incident took place on February 3 inside the hotel room after the priest and his cousin drank several bottles of beer.

Afterwards, Namboodiri called the victim asking her to meet him but the woman was reluctant, saying she could not meet him as she was pregnant.

The priest allegedly insisted she meet him urgently and the victim went to meet Namboodiri at the hotel's room at around 5.30 pm along with her driver.

Soon after the victim entered the room, she said she saw cigarette butts and smelt liquor inside the room.

Namboodiri sent his cousin outside the room asking him to stand guard from outside and latched the door from the inside.

It is alleged that he then started misbehaving and molesting the girl, asking for sexual favours, the police said.

The victim managed to get out of the room, reached the Mehruali police station and reported the incident.

A case under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code was lodged at the Mehrauli police station.

After recording the victim's statement, Namboodiri and his cousin were arrested by the police.

The pair were brought before Metropolitan Magistrate Shreya Arora Mehta on Tuesday afternoon after which they were sent in judicial remand for 14 days.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have contacted the management of the Badrinath temple for further information about the arrested duo.