New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a self-styled ‘godman’ and former chairman of a Delhi management institute, who is accused of sexually harassing 17 female students and running a network of financial fraud. The 62-year-old was traced to Agra after weeks on the run.
Police allege that Saraswati exploited students, particularly from economically weaker sections (EWS), by confiscating their mobile phones and academic certificates, leaving them unable to lodge complaints. A friend of one of the victims told PTI, “He marked students first and asked them to deposit their phones so they could focus on studies. This created a sense of fear, as every student’s career was locked there.”
Bail plea rejected
On Friday, a Delhi court dismissed Saraswati’s anticipatory bail plea in a case of cheating, forgery, and conspiracy. Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur emphasised that custodial interrogation was necessary to establish the “entire chain of fraud” and noted that the accused had been untraceable for weeks.
Court documents reveal that Saraswati allegedly created a fraudulent trust to divert funds and properties belonging to the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research and a Sringeri-based religious body. Investigators said he opened multiple bank accounts under different names and withdrew over Rs 50 lakh after an FIR was lodged in August. The police are examining the trail of these transactions as part of the probe into financial misappropriation.
Pattern of intimidation
Victims and complainants told police that Saraswati and his aides threatened students with expulsion or academic failure if they resisted his advances. “Girls were frequently warned that their careers would be destroyed if they opposed him,” a victim’s friend alleged.
The first complaint was lodged in March by a student under the EWS quota, who alleged that she was asked to pay an additional Rs 60,000 or work at the institute without salary. Later, an Indian Air Force officer reported that several women had disclosed harassment during a virtual meeting. Police say more victims are coming forward as the investigation expands.
Broader investigation
The police are actively tracing financial and property transactions linked to Saraswati and examining the role of his aides. The investigation focuses not only on the harassment complaints but also on uncovering the full extent of the fraudulent activities tied to the institute and the religious trust.
Authorities have warned students to cooperate with investigators and assured them that measures are being taken to protect their privacy and safety during the ongoing probe.
Conclusion
The arrest of Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati underscores the need for vigilance in educational institutions, particularly regarding sexual harassment and financial fraud targeting vulnerable students. The Delhi Police continue to expand the investigation as more victims come forward, signalling potential further legal action against Saraswati and his associates.