Woman claims priest molested her during 'blessing'

Sinar Daily

08-07-2025

Lishalliny said the incident happened on June 21, when she visited the temple alone to continue her journey into spirituality.
She alleged the priest asked her to lift her Punjabi suit, which she refused. Photo source: Lishalliny Kanaran/Instagram
SHAH ALAM – Temples are often seen as sacred sanctuaries, places where people seek solace, but for Lishalliny Kanaran, what was supposed to be a spiritual turning point became a moment of fear and betrayal.
The 28-year-old actor has come forward with disturbing allegations that a temple priest molested her during a ritual at a well-known temple in Kuala Lumpur. Haunted by the trauma, she kept the incident to herself for nearly two weeks before confiding in her mother on July 4. Photo source: Lishalliny Kanaran
Lishalliny said the incident happened on June 21, when she visited the temple alone to continue her journey into spirituality.
She claimed the priest, who had been regularly guiding her through rituals, offered to perform a blessing involving holy water and a protective string, a common practice in Hindu temples.
'All my life, I've never really been a religious person, but recently, I found a path forward. I had been going to the temple, learning little by little," she wrote in a post.
"After waiting more than an hour due to the crowd, she said the priest led her into an office within the temple premises.
"There, he poured a strong-smelling liquid into the holy water and began splashing it on her face until her eyes burned.
'He said it was from India and not usually given to 'ordinary people',' she said in an Instagram post yesterday.
She alleged that the priest then asked her to lift her Punjabi suit, which she refused.
Despite her objections, she claimed he stood behind her, murmured prayers and then suddenly put his hands inside her blouse and touched her inappropriately, all while claiming it was a spiritual blessing.
'He said it would be a 'blessing' if I did 'it' with him because he serves God.
"My brain knew everything about that moment was wrong yet I couldn't move. I froze," she said.
After fleeing the room, she said the priest told her that the week would be a lucky one, claiming he had ensured it for her.
'This week will be a lucky week for you. I've done this for you," she said.
Haunted by the trauma, she kept the incident to herself for nearly two weeks before confiding in her mother on July 4.
The family immediately lodged a police report.
When they returned to the temple to confront the management, she alleged that temple officials claimed the priest had already left and that a similar complaint had been made against him previously, yet no action had been taken.
'The chairman said he had only met the priest once and claimed not to know where he had gone," she alleged.
She said her decision to speak out was not to victimise herself, but to send a message to others who may have gone through similar abuse.
'You are not to blame. You did nothing wrong. And if you ever need someone, I'm here. You are not alone," she said.
Police have yet to issue a public statement on the case.
Attempts to contact the temple's management have so far been unsuccessful.
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