Police in India have arrested a swami who claimed massaging the breasts of childless women would help them get pregnant.

The Deccan Chronicle says Kuchamardhana Swamy, alias Gottimukkala Babu Rao, was arrested at the Sri Rajarajeswari temple at Parkal in Andhra Pradesh after a complaint was lodged by a social worker

Hundreds of women had been visiting him on Mondays and Saturdays to have their breasts massaged, because they believed it would result in motherhood.

Rao claimed he had the blessings of Hindu god Lord Shiva to 'treat' the women.

The former teacher turned into a swami when his wife left him because the couple could not have children.

The officer sent to arrest Rao encountered protests from female devotees who argued the police were interfering with their treatment, and denying them the swami's blessings.

The swami has been charged under laws dealing with cheating and outraging the modesty of women.