Kuala Lumpur, July 10 — Lishalliny Kanaran, Miss Grand Malaysia 2021 and a well-known model and TV host of Indian origin, has accused a Hindu priest of molesting her under the guise of performing a religious ritual at a temple in Sepang, Malaysia.
The incident allegedly took place on June 21 at the Mariamman Temple. Sharing her harrowing experience on social media, Kanaran claimed that the priest, an Indian national temporarily officiating in the absence of the temple’s resident priest, lured her under the pretext of offering a blessing.
According to her, he splashed her with a “strong-smelling liquid” that stung her eyes before proceeding to grope her. She said the priest later asked her to undress, insisting it was “for her good,” and even suggested that engaging in a sexual act with him would be a divine blessing.
“I froze. I couldn’t move or speak. I still don’t understand why,” she wrote in an Instagram post, adding that the emotional impact was worsened by the fact that the assault took place in a temple — a space she had turned to for spiritual comfort.
Kanaran further alleged that a police officer initially advised her to stay silent to avoid blame, but she refused to be silenced. She filed a formal complaint on July 4. By then, the priest had fled the premises. Police later confirmed that the same man had been reported earlier for similar behavior.
“The suspect’s modus operandi was to sprinkle holy water on the victim before molesting her,” Sepang District Police Chief ACP Norhizam Bahaman said. Authorities have launched a manhunt and an investigation is underway.
Kanaran also accused the temple authorities of trying to cover up the incident to protect the institution’s reputation. “That betrayal is what cuts the deepest,” she said, calling on women to speak out and not allow fear or shame to silence them.
