Police Oct. 15 arrested 21 female members ranging from 15 to 80 years old of the religious group Kigenkai based in Komoro, Nagano Prefecture, on suspicion of beating to death another female member in September.

The police also searched the group's headquarters and other related locations over allegations that Motoko Okuno, 63, died after an assault involving the leaders inside a Kigenkai facility in Komoro that may have had something to do with a religious rite, the sources said.

Kigenkai was set up in 1970. Its teachings are said to be based on Shintoism. They are also known to have been selling drinking water, called "Kigensui," touting it as a cure for all types of illness.