Hindu priest gets arrested in Canada over sexual assault

Brampton: A 69-year-old priest of Indian origin and reportedly of Hindu faith was arrested in Canada’s Brampton over a sexual assault he allegedly committed while conducting a religious ceremony at the survivor’s home. The priest, identified as Ashok Kumar, was arrested on Friday, March 7, and was named in a complaint filed with the Peel Regional Police on March 3, Siasat reported.

The survivor alleged that the priest sexually assaulted her at her home after she invited him to perform the rites for the religious ceremony.

It was the verified X user, identified as a Drunk Journalist, who revealed on the social media platform that the arrestee was a Hindu priest.

Hindu Priest Ashok Kumar. https://t.co/W5Hts1GSLK

— Drunk Journalist (@drunkJournalist) March 9, 2025

Canadian Police said in a press release that Kumar had been charged with one count of sexual assault and that there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. The accused is originally from India; however, police said he has been a prominent religious leader in the Brampton community for several years. They added that Kumar will be produced before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

“On Monday, March 3, 2025, the accused attended the victim’s residence to perform a religious ceremony, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. On Friday, Ashok Kumar from Brampton was arrested and charged with one count of sexual assault. The accused is also known as Ashok Sharma”, the police press release stated.