TORONTO / NEW YORK — 55-year-old Pandit Doodnath Maraj has been arrested in Canada for the sexual assault of a woman during a staged religious ritual. The Canadian police announced that the arrest took place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in the vicinity of Harmony Road North and East Goshawk. Investigations reveal that the same pandit, who resides in Richmond Hill, New York, was previously prosecuted years ago in Guyana for the sexual assault of a minor.
Assault Under the Guise of Spiritual Cleansing
The victim and her family had hired the pandit to travel from New York to Canada to perform a Hindu religious ceremony. Maraj is alleged to have used his position of spiritual authority to convince the woman that she was possessed by evil spirits and required a special cleansing ritual. Police stated that he then isolated the woman in a private room and assaulted her under the pretense of conducting the ritual.
Previous Legal Proceedings in Guyana
This recent case shares similarities with Maraj's past criminal record in Guyana. In 2014, the pandit stood trial before the Demerara Criminal Court. He was accused of the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in 2009 inside a temple in Eccles.
Reports from the proceedings in Guyana indicated that Maraj utilized a similar method, claiming the child was possessed by evil spirits to gain access to her under the guise of a ceremony. Following the incident, he allegedly threatened the victim to prevent her from reporting the abuse.
Police Search for Additional Victims
Following the legal cases in Guyana, the pandit relocated to the United States, where he continued his religious practices in New York. Because Maraj traveled extensively to conduct religious services, Canadian investigators suspect there may be additional victims who were abused under similar circumstances. The police department urges individuals within the community to contact law enforcement immediately if they have had similar experiences with this individual.
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