A Hyderabad-based priest allegedly tried to molest a 45-year-old married woman at her house in Nacharam, under the pretext of performing a ritual.

According to her police complaint, the woman met the accused, identified as Sriram Sharma, at the Kanakadurga temple in Basheerbagh.

The woman informed the 'baba' that her family was facing a financial crisis, to which, the accused said that a puja had to be performed at her house.

He also insisted that the woman’s husband and children be sent away before he came to visit.

"On September 14, Sharma went to the womans house. He told her that only she alone should be inside the house while the ritual is being performed, and asked her husband and son to move out. He then attempted to outrage her modesty. However, the woman raised an alarm, following which her husband and son came to her rescue," an investigating official told PTI.

While the incident happened around 10 days ago, it came to light after the police registered a case.

According to reports, 40-year-old Sriram has been in television studios giving sermons on spirituality, and also has contacts with influential politicians.

Sharma reportedly issued a statement to the media, where he denied the allegations and said it was an attempt to tarnish his image.

The Nacharam police booked him under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC.