A market owner claiming to be a swami has been charged with touching women inappropriately while claiming it was part of their meditative sessions for spiritual healing, police said Thursday.

Gokula Nanda, 62, of Canoga Park faces nine counts of sexual battery, sexual battery by fraud, and sexual penetration by fraud. He was arraigned on the charges on July 15 and released on $100,000 bail pending further court proceedings.

Nanda hung up on a reporter who contacted him Thursday at his store, the Hari-Om India Market in Santa Clarita.

Torrance police arrested Nanda on May 13 following allegations that he sexually assaulted female clients in Torrance and Santa Clarita.

Nanda, police said, claimed to be a Hindu swami who offered fortunetelling and healing to his clients, claiming that the “sexual contacts were part of his spiritual rituals.”

Nanda allegedly talked softly and relaxed the women during the meditative experiences, but touched them inappropriately, sometimes when their eyes were closed, police said.

According to the complaint filed at the Torrance courhouse, Nanda allegedly made women believe the acts served a professional purpose.

“They believe him,” Torrance police Sgt. Paul Kranke said. “He says he has to do these certain things to help you get in touch with your spirits.”

Torrance police learned there were similar allegations made against Nanda dating to 2005, Kranke said.