Badrinath priest held for molesting pregnant woman

New Delhi, Feb 5: The head priest of the

temple has been arrested for wrongfully raping and confining a 30 year old pregnant woman at a Delhi hotel. Keshavan Namboothiri, the priest, is alleged to have called the woman from Uttarakhand saying that he was not feeling well and wanted to meet her.

When she reached the hotel, she said she smelt cigerattes and alcohol. When she was trying to go back home, the priest allegedly pulled her towards him and touched her inappropriately. She resisted and tried to escape, but he followed her.

Namboodiri's cousin, who was there with him at that point, has also been arrested as an alibi.

The victim's statement has been recorded and an FIR has been registered under section 354 (assault to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 342 (wrongful confinement).

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has suspended the priest and has said that he would be taken back only if he can prove himself innocent.

OneIndia News