The Mukhya Rawal (chief priest) of the revered Badrinath shrine, Keshavan Namboodiri was arrested on Tuesday for molesting a pregnant woman in a hotel. The woman was known to the priest. The Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee suspended the high priest until he is cleared of the charges.

The woman's father has been visiting Badrinath and has a hotel there. The woman and her family was known to the priest.

The woman said she was called by Namboodiri to a hotel where he committed to the sordid deed. She also alleged that the priest had alcohol on his breadth. The woman escaped from his clutches with the help of her driver and filed a complaint.

Mehrauli Police took Namboodri in custody.