Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Dr. Parthasarathy, has become the center of a high-profile sexual harassment scandal in Delhi. A self-styled godman, he is accused of sexually harassing 17 female students at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, located in Vasant Kunj. At 62 years old, Saraswati has been on the run for over a month following allegations by students that prompted police intervention in August.

The institute, administered by the Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, operates as part of a network of ashrams and educational institutions across nine states. However, the organization has publicly distanced itself from Saraswati following these allegations.

Lookout Circular and Police Action

Authorities have issued a lookout circular to prevent Saraswati from fleeing the country, while multiple police teams have been deployed across Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand to trace him. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, emphasizing the urgency of the case.

Officials indicate that this is not the first instance of alleged misconduct by Saraswati. Historical police records show he has faced five prior cases, including charges of fraud and molestation dating back to 2009, along with a molestation case in 2016. Despite these allegations, he was never arrested.

Allegations Against Chaitanyananda Saraswati

Students have accused Saraswati of exploiting their vulnerable financial situations. Many were enrolled under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota and allegedly faced threats of academic failure if they refused his advances. Police reports indicate that Saraswati lured students with promises of foreign trips and other opportunities, which served as pretexts for inappropriate behavior.

Out of 32 students whose statements were recorded, 17 accused Saraswati of sending obscene messages and using abusive language. The deputy commissioner of police (southwest), Amit Goel, confirmed: "During inquiry, statements of 32 female students were recorded. Seventeen of them alleged they received obscene WhatsApp messages, dealt with abusive language from the accused, and unwanted physical contact." The FIR further details that victims were pressured into compliance by Saraswati and his co-conspirators, which included female faculty and staff.

Investigators revealed that Saraswati threatened students who did not comply with demands, using academic failure as leverage. One student was allegedly told, "You will fail all your exams unless you listen to 'Swami.'" Another was coerced into attending "personal meetings" under the guise of academic and career assistance.

Profile of Chaitanyananda Saraswati

Chaitanyananda Saraswati is a self-styled godman and author of 28 books. According to ResearchGate, he is described as a "Monk of the Santana Vedic Tradition of Arsha Vidya Order, Shankara Lineage," and a senior disciple of Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswati. He studied the three canonical texts of Indian Knowledge System (IKS) under Swami Dayananda Saraswati's tutelage: the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita. Saraswati is also noted as a professor.

Authorities suspect that his last known whereabouts were Agra or Uttarakhand, locations he frequented for speeches and engagements. Beyond sexual harassment, Saraswati faces charges of forgery, including possession of a Volvo with a forged diplomatic number plate discovered on campus, which led to a second FIR on August 25 under cheating and forgery charges.

Role of Female Staff in Harassment

Investigations revealed that female staff members were complicit in the harassment. Students stated that certain faculty and administrators abetted Saraswati, pressuring them into compliance. The FIR was lodged on August 4 by the college administrator, P. A. Murli, following complaints from students. Saraswati, hailing from Odisha, had been living on the campus, making the harassment easier to execute.

Police registered the case under sections 75(2) (sexual harassment), 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Despite being abroad at the time of the FIR, police efforts to apprehend him after his return were unsuccessful. Investigators analyzed CCTV footage and sent hard disks to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), amid claims that evidence may have been tampered with.

Sexual Harassment Details and Victims' Experiences

The victims, largely from EWS backgrounds, detailed a pattern of abuse. One 21-year-old scholarship student said, "He was the chancellor… His office was on the ground floor of the building where our classes were held. In my first meeting, he looked at me weirdly and even demotivated me… After I sent my medical reports, he started sending me inappropriate messages at odd hours. 'Baby, I love you. I adore you, you are looking beautiful today.' If I did not respond, he would tag the message sent earlier and force me to reply. I informed the associate dean about it, who said I had to reply since he was the Head. She even said the situation has been previously explained to some senior students."

She further alleged that academic manipulation occurred when she resisted Saraswati's advances, with exam marks deducted unfairly. She recalled a trip to Rishikesh, where Saraswati made inappropriate remarks during a visit and the students were later pressured to delete chat messages with him.

Students also reported that during industrial visits and stays at the ashram, Saraswati would call them at odd hours, forcing compliance and creating a climate of fear. The FIR highlighted the vulnerability of these students, who had their educational certificates withheld, placing their academic and career futures at risk.

Illegal Activities Beyond Sexual Harassment

Authorities discovered a Volvo with a forged diplomatic number plate (39 UN 1) in the institute's basement, allegedly used by Saraswati. Nine more fake diplomatic plates were later seized. Separate FIRs were registered for cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust. Prior records indicate cases of fraud and molestation dating back to 2009.

Coerced Name Changes and Secret Cameras

The FIR revealed that Saraswati forced at least one student to change her name against her will and had secretly installed cameras in the women's hostel. Female students were coerced into visiting his room late at night and accompanying him on trips abroad. His activities were described as illegal, inappropriate, and detrimental to the institute's interests. Consequently, the Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham severed all ties with him.

Role of External Intervention

The scandal came to light following two key communications. First, a former student wrote to the institute on July 28 (received July 31) alleging harassment by Saraswati. Shortly thereafter, an email from a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force corroborated complaints from female students, many of whom were from military families. These communications prompted the governing council to hold a virtual meeting with over 30 women students on August 3.

During the investigation, 300 pages of evidence were submitted against Saraswati, leading to his removal from the institute's management and the formation of a new governing council of 11 members.

National Commission for Women Intervention

The NCW has directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure the immediate arrest of Chaitanyananda Saraswati. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has emphasized the need for a thorough and expeditious investigation, including protection and counselling for the victims. The commission has requested a detailed status report within three days. The NCW highlighted that Saraswati had made unwanted advances and used obscene language, while the faculty and staff allegedly coerced students to comply with his illegal demands.

Current Status and Police Efforts

Saraswati remains absconding, with police conducting raids in multiple states to locate him. His last known location was near Agra. The issuance of the lookout circular underscores the concern that he may attempt to flee abroad. Investigators continue to analyze CCTV footage and other evidence while coordinating efforts to apprehend him.

The case of Chaitanyananda Saraswati sheds light on a disturbing intersection of power, manipulation, and abuse within educational and religious institutions. With multiple complaints, historical cases, and corroborated evidence, authorities are under pressure to ensure justice for the victims. The NCW, Delhi Police, and institute management are working collectively to secure Saraswati's arrest and protect the vulnerable students affected by his alleged misconduct. The unfolding investigation continues to capture national attention, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance, accountability, and the safeguarding of students against exploitation.

With inputs from agencies

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