Temple priest arrested in Bengaluru for blackmailing woman with private videos

Bengaluru

Bellandur police have arrested a temple priest for allegedly blackmailing a woman with her private videos. Based on the woman's complaint, police registered a case and apprehended one suspect, while the chief priest remains at large. Police have launched a manhunt for the absconding chief priest. The arrested accused has been identified as Arun, a priest at the prestigious Perugottukkara Temple in Thrissur, Kerala. The chief priest, Unni Damodaran, has absconded.

The victim, identified as Pooja (name changed), had visited the temple believing she was cursed by black magic. There, she became acquainted with the temple priest, Arun. Arun allegedly told Pooja that he could perform rituals for ₹24,000. He then asked Pooja to come for the puja when he called her. Trusting Arun, Pooja provided him with her mobile number.

After obtaining her number, Priest Arun allegedly made continuous WhatsApp calls to Pooja late at night. The woman accused Arun of making these calls while he was nude. He purportedly pressured her to strip during video calls, claiming it was necessary to reverse the black magic affecting her. Arun recorded these video calls and subsequently used them to blackmail Pooja, threatening to leak the videos if she did not visit Kerala whenever he called.

Arun allegedly sent offensive messages to Pooja, stating he would book a room for her if she informed him in advance about her visit to Kerala. Unable to bear Arun's harassment, Pooja reportedly traveled to Kerala on one occasion. During this visit, Arun allegedly picked her up in a car and attempted to sexually assault her. The complaint further states that Chief Priest Unni Damodaran also behaved indecently with the woman, in complicity with Arun. They reportedly threatened her, saying that if she did not comply, the black magic would be reversed onto her children.

Distraught by the harassment from Arun and Chief Priest Unni Damodaran, Pooja filed a complaint against both at the Bellandur Police Station in Bengaluru. Police have registered an FIR and arrested Arun, while efforts are underway to apprehend Unni Damodaran.