Amutha Valli, 50, claimed the priests and their helpers at the Roman Catholic Novena Church attempted to perform an exorcism without her permission after she fainted at church, the Straits Times reported.

She claimed she was held down and physically and verbally abused during the 2 1/2-hour episode. The experience left her so traumatized that she needs 24-hour care, the report said.

Valli and her husband are seeking damages of more than S$250,000 (US$159,000; €124,000), covering her loss of earnings and future medical expenses, the paper reported.

"She is scared of going out by herself, cannot work, and until recently, was unable to go to the toilet unaccompanied," her husband, Suppiah Jeyabal, told the Straits Times, saying Valli had become a hysterical person who often breaks down.

Valli has been diagnosed as suffering from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder with depression, according to the report.

Valli and the accused priests could not immediately be reached for comment.

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