'Special rituals to lift curse': Kerala temple administrator accused of raping Bengaluru woman under 'black magic' pretext

What started as a search for peace turned into a nightmare for a 38-year-old woman from Bengaluru. She was allegedly raped multiple times by a temple administrator in Kerala, who convinced her that she was under a black magic curse.

According to a TOI report, police last week arrested 40-year-old Arun T A from Peringottukara temple in Kizhakkummuri, Thrissur. Another accused, a priest named Unni Damodaran, is still missing.

How it began

The woman had gone to the temple in March with three friends after reading about it online. She later filed a police complaint, stating that Arun and the priest manipulated her by saying she was cursed and needed special rituals to lift it.


Widowed since 2016 and raising two sons on her own, she had been going through emotional and financial difficulties. She said she paid Rs 24,000 for the rituals. When she said she couldn’t afford more, Arun told her he would take care of the rest.

From help to harassment

Soon, Arun allegedly started harassing her. According to her complaint, he sent her inappropriate messages like “I love you” and forced her to follow his instructions over video calls. He even asked her to undress during one such call, warning that the curse would stay if she didn’t.

She also told police that Arun threatened her, saying he had a nude video of her and would harm her children through black magic if she didn’t obey him.

The assaults

The woman said that on May 10, she went to the temple again. Arun allegedly took her to a room on the premises and raped her, while the priest stood outside keeping watch. Later, on May 21, he reportedly took her to a remote area, locked her in his car, and raped her again.

Shocked and traumatised, she eventually told her family. They encouraged her to go to the police, which she did.

Bellandur police arrested Arun based on her complaint and are currently looking for priest Damodaran.

(The identity of the victim has been kept confidential as per Supreme Court guidelines on cases of sexual assault.)