New Delhi: Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a 62-year-old self-styled godman, was arrested in Agra on Sunday, September 28, 2025, following allegations of sexually harassing at least 17 female students at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj. A six-page FIR filed on August 5 includes statements from a 21-year-old student and references 32 other women who reported repeated harassment.
Fraudulent Activities and Deceptive Claims
Investigations revealed that Chaitanyananda Saraswati had been using fake diplomatic number plates on his vehicles marked with ‘UN’ and carried visiting cards claiming he was a “Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations.” Additionally, he presented himself as a “Special Envoy of India” and a member of the Joint Commission of BRICS countries. His associates falsely claimed connections with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to assert power and influence.
Financial Misappropriation
Police have frozen over ₹8 crore across 18 bank accounts and 28 fixed deposits belonging to Saraswati. He is charged with cheating involving ₹122 crore. An audit revealed he diverted ₹20 crore into a parallel trust he established in 2010. Following the exposure of these activities, he absconded with ₹55 lakh in funds and obtained forged passports under false identities.
Legal Proceedings
A Delhi court has remanded Chaitanyananda Saraswati to five days of police custody for questioning. The charges against him include sexual harassment, fraud, and forgery. The Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which owns the college, had severed ties with him after discovering the financial irregularities.