Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati (also known as Parthasarathy), a self-styled “godman” and former head of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research in Vasant Kunj, Delhi, has been accused of a disturbing pattern of sexual harassment, psychological coercion, and financial fraud.
The allegations involve at least 17 female students, many of them from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and paint a picture of abuse of power in an institution purportedly dedicated to education and spiritual growth.
Key Allegations & Modus Operandi
- The students allege obscene WhatsApp messages, abusive and intimate comments on their yoga photos, and frequent harassment, both verbal and in person. Some students have said they were summoned to meet him in his room late at night, often under pretenses.
- Chaitanyananda is also accused of using female staff (aides) to pressure students to comply with his demands—making offers of internships, foreign trips, iPhones, etc., as lures. Those who resisted allegedly faced threats like expulsion or withholding of certificates.
- Reports claim he had control over student hostels, kept their original documents, confiscated mobile phones, used CCTV and remote monitoring of hostel premises, and allegedly tampered with the DVR system to erase evidence.
Financial and Fraud Elements
- Alongside sexual harassment allegations, there are serious charges of financial irregularities. A preliminary audit in December 2024 revealed that Chaitanyananda had created a parallel, possibly fraudulent trust called the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research Foundation Trust. Funds and property meant for the original trust/institute were allegedly diverted.
- Investigators allege about Rs 20–40 crore in irregularities. This includes land rentals, money from plots, subletting, and misuse of institutional funds, possibly under false documents.
- After FIRs were filed, approximately ₹50–55 lakh were reportedly withdrawn from bank accounts associated with him. Multiple bank accounts & fixed deposits linked with the organisations/chosen trusts have been investigated and some frozen.
Evasion, Arrest & Legal Progress
- Chaitanyananda went into hiding for several days; he was eventually arrested from a hotel in Agra in the early hours of a Sunday. Authorities had issued Look-Out Notices, searched his known addresses, and used informants to locate him.
- A Delhi court remanded him to five days of police custody, which later turned into 14 days of judicial custody, as investigations advanced.
Additional Damning Evidence
- The police recovered fake visiting cards from him, claiming diplomatic status (e.g., UN, BRICS), also forged passports in different names listing different parents’ names, likely meant to obscure identity and travel history.
- It’s alleged that female students were lured with promises of placements, foreign internships, electronic gadgets, etc., to win their compliance. Those who refused faced retaliatory behaviour.
Latest Developments & Concerns
- Three female aides (senior faculty/associate dean/executive director roles) have been arrested. They allegedly confessed to aiding the godman by coercing students, intimidating them, facilitating sexual harassment, and destroying or concealing evidence.
- The institute’s hostel environment has been described as a “fear zone” by students, with constant surveillance, threats, and potential suppression of dissent. Withholding of certificates is reportedly used as leverage.
- Courts have refused anticipatory bail in the fraud/misappropriation case, emphasizing the severity of the financial allegations and Chaitanyananda’s evasive behaviour.
Why This Case Illustrates Sheer Abuse of Power and Mental Cruelty
What makes this case especially horrifying is not just the sexual harassment, but how multiple mechanisms were allegedly used to maintain dominance:
- Coercing vulnerable students (especially under EWS) through fear of academic ruin.
- Using institutional leverage—certificates, control over hostel, monitoring, surveillance.
- Misrepresentation of status and identity to intimidate and deceive.
- Financial fraud ensures that the power structure remains opaque and hard to challenge.
For these young women, the trauma is not only sexual or physical—it’s emotional, psychological, and institutional. It illustrates how someone in a position of spiritual or educational authority can exploit trust in exceptionally damaging ways.
What Needs to Happen Now
- A full, independent inquiry into all allegations, including forcing students, withholding documents, surveillance, and misuse of funds.
- Swift legal action on all fronts: sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, fraud, forgery, misappropriation, impersonation, and abusive behaviour.
- Assurance of protection for victims, especially those who may fear reprisals or ostracisation.
- Institutions must establish transparent grievance redressal systems, oversight, and accountability in colleges, religious bodies.
- Audits of all trusts, financial disclosures from similar institutes claiming spiritual or charitable status.
- Public awareness and media scrutiny are needed to ensure such abuses are exposed and cannot continue behind closed doors.
Latest Case Outcome
- Chaitanyananda remains in judicial custody as of the latest court orders after initial police custody.
- The institutional body associated with him (Sri Sringeri Math/Sharada Peetham) has officially severed ties with him.
- Investigations into his financial assets, documents (passports), bank accounts, fixed deposits, hostel CCTV systems, etc., are ongoing.
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