FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — A father who said his 11-year-old son was branded as part of a religious ceremony is suing a Hindu temple and its parent company.
Vijay Cheruvu said his son was left with scars of a Hindu god. According to a lawsuit filed this week in Fort Bend County, it claims the boy suffered extreme pain and permanent disfigurement.
Cheruvu is suing the temple where the branding allegedly happened and the parent company. Attorneys said nearly 100 people and three minors, including his son, took part in the ceremony.
Attorneys claim religious freedoms don't offer protection when a child is hurt.
“I was shocked. I didn’t know how to handle it. My primary concern is for my son’s well-being,” Cheruvu said.
He said there was nothing he could do to protect his son from what happened.
According to the lawsuit, a cultural event was hosted at the Ashtalakshmi Temple off Synott Road in Sugar Land in August 2023.
Attorneys claim Cheruvu’s son, identified as TC in the lawsuit, was branded on both of his shoulders with a hot iron rod without consent. Cheruvu said the marks are of a Hindu god called Vishnu.
“This is not a ceremony that’s widely used across Hinduism, this is something that’s a very small sect,” attorney Brant Stogner said.
Stogner said TC was left with burns and an infection.
Attorneys are suing the temple and its parent company, JET USA INC., claiming underage children or parents cannot give consent for branding.
“Even if TC wanted these, he could not get it,” Stogner said.
TC wrote a victim impact statement which was presented to KHOU 11 News. Attorneys read a portion of that statement.
“He said, ‘I had no idea this was going to happen, they did it on my other shoulder,’” attorney Andrew Williams said.
The law firm is seeking over $1 million in damages.
Temple staff didn't want to comment.
Meanwhile, Cheruvu said he is trying to help his son recover.
“He goes to see therapists. He’s deeply scarred, (feels) betrayed,” Cheruvu said.
KHOU 11 News also reached out to the parent company for a response for comment and we have not heard back.