Malaysian cops have initiated a manhunt for an Indian priest who allegedly molested Lishalliny Kanaran, an actor and Miss Grand Malaysia 2021 winner, during a visit to a Hindu temple in Sepang, just outside Kuala Lumpur. The ugly episode took place on June 21, 2025, and was revealed after the beauty queen shared a graphic account on Instagram.
“I Was Molested by a Priest: Lishalliny Kanaran”
In her article, Lishalliny Kanaran stated, “That betrayal is what cuts the deepest. I won’t go into more detail. But I was MOLESTED by that priest. And I couldn’t react.”
She explained how what was supposed to be a harmless prayer ritual became a nightmarish experience that left her in shock and emotionally destroyed.
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She went to the Mariamman Temple alone on June 21 because her mother was overseas in India, she said. A temporary priest, an Indian national, was performing rituals in place of the temple’s resident priest, who was away.
“There is a priest there who would normally instruct me in the rituals, as I am new to all this. I do not know much, and I’ve always been grateful for his assistance,” she said.
Lishalliny Kanaran was Taken to Private Office and Molested
Lishalliny Kanaran explained that she prayed and waited for the priest to bless her. After one and a half hours, he requested she accompany him to his private office, where he said he would provide her with a special blessing using holy water and a protective string.
She entered with him after initial reluctance. “Inside the office, he sat down and made me stand. He poured something, a very pungent-smelling liquid… He told me that it was from India, and that they don’t normally give it to common people.
It was followed by an act of gross abuse. “He splashed the water again and stood behind me… He took my head in his hands and mumbled something. Then, all of a sudden, he inserted his hands inside my blouse, into my bra, and began touching me indecently.”
Paralyzed with fear, Lishalliny could not respond. “My brain recognized everything about that instance was wrong and yet I couldn’t move. I couldn’t talk. I froze. And I still don’t know the reason why.”
Delayed Report Because of Trauma
In the days after the attack, the actress claimed she was in denial, traumatized, and ashamed. When her mother came back from India, she disclosed the molestation. The family subsequently lodged a police complaint on July 4.
But by the time they arrived at the temple, the priest had already left. “It seemed that the priest was no longer there. The same person had already reported him earlier for doing the same thing and no action had still been taken,” she alleged, blaming the management of the temple for covering previous complaints to shield its reputation.
Police Confirm Investigation and Manhunt
Sepang district police chief ACP Norhizam Bahaman verified the investigation in a statement to Malay Mail.
“The suspect is an Indian national who was temporarily holding the post as the resident priest of the temple is overseas,” he said.
“The modus operandi of the suspect was purportedly to sprinkle holy water on the victim’s face and body and then go on to molest her,” he added.
Officials have scaled up efforts to apprehend the suspect and are investigating allegations that reports of such incidents had been made in the past but ignored.
