New York Hindu priest charged with sexual assault in Oshawa

Rajendranauth Doodnauth Maraj, a 50-year-old Hindu priest from Richmond Hill, New York, has been charged with sexual assault following an incident in Oshawa, Ontario.

According to Durham Regional Police, the victim and her family hired Maraj to perform a religious ceremony. Investigators allege that Maraj deceived the victim by claiming she was possessed by evil spirits and required a specific ritual for healing. He reportedly lured the victim to a private location where the assault occurred under the guise of performing the ceremony.

Maraj was taken into custody without incident and held for a bail hearing. Police have expressed concern that there may be additional victims and are requesting that anyone with information regarding similar incidents contact the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch or Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.