Kollam (Kerala), February 9 A man has been arrested in Kerala's Kollam district for allegedly raping a minor girl under the guise of exorcism, police said on Monday.
The accused, Murari, a local sorcerer, had been on the run after the incident came to light on Sunday, and a search is underway to apprehend him, they said.
The incident took place in Vendar, under the jurisdiction of the Puthur police station.
According to police, the victim and her mother had previously sought Murari's advice regarding astrological matters.
He reportedly convinced them that their problems were caused by a malevolent spirit possessing the girl's body.
The sorcerer also assured them that he could help them get rid of the spirit through exorcism.
Following his instructions, the girl and her mother returned to his house in Vendar on Sunday for the ritual procedure he had prescribed.
The accused asked the mother to wait outside the room while he attended to the girl.
After some time, the girl emerged and informed her mother about the assault she had suffered.
Upon being informed, local residents protested outside his house, but the accused managed to escape amidst the ensuing chaos, police added.
Murari has been booked under various sections of the BNS, including Section 64 (rape), 74 (assault or criminal force), 75 (1) and 76 (sexual harassment), and other relevant laws, police added.