Indian-origin actress and television host Lishalliny Kanaran has accused a Hindu priest in Malaysia of molesting her during a visit to a temple, claiming he took advantage of her under the pretext of offering a blessing.
The 2021 Miss Grand Malaysia winner burst out on social media with the allegations, saying the incident took place last month at the Mariamman Temple in Sepang. Her emotional post has since gone viral, sparking public outrage and calls for accountability.
According to the South China Morning Post, Kanaran said the priest—an Indian national temporarily officiating at the temple—led her to a private room, where he first sprinkled a strong-smelling liquid on her and then allegedly groped her. “He told me it was holy water from India,” she wrote.
Quoting Sepang police chief ACP Norhizam Bahaman, SCMP reported that the priest’s alleged method involved sprinkling holy water before proceeding to molest victims. Authorities have launched a manhunt, confirming that a report was filed on July 4.
In her detailed account, Kanaran said she went to the temple alone on June 21. “There’s a priest who usually guides me since I’m still learning. I trusted him,” she wrote. But after prayers, the priest allegedly asked her to meet him in his private office for a “blessing.”
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What followed, she said, left her stunned and traumatised. The priest allegedly asked her to undress and groped her chest. “He said it would be a blessing if I did ‘it’ with him because he serves God,” she wrote. “My brain knew everything about that moment was wrong… I couldn’t move. I froze.”
She added that the pain of betrayal was intensified by the setting. “That was where it happened—at a temple. That betrayal is what cuts the deepest.”
Kanaran also revealed that the investigating officer allegedly warned her against going public. “He said if I did, it would be my fault,” she claimed. Ignoring the advice, she chose to speak out on Instagram, citing a responsibility to protect others.
The actress further alleged that the priest had prior accusations against him and suggested that the temple management may have tried to cover up the case.
Malaysian authorities have confirmed an investigation is underway, and efforts are ongoing to locate the suspect, who reportedly fled the premises before police arrived.
