Who Is Chaitanyananda Saraswati: Self-Styled Godman Arrested For Sexual Harassment Of 17 Students
Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a 62-year-old self-styled godman, has come under the spotlight after being accused of sexually harassing 17 students at a private institute in Delhi. Police recovered incriminating evidence from his phones, including chats with multiple women, photographs with air hostesses, and screenshots of women’s social media display pictures.
Investigators say the godman tried to lure women with false promises, while allegedly using his position as chairperson of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research in Vasant Kunj to facilitate his misconduct.
Saraswati, who had been absconding for nearly a month, was arrested from a hotel in Agra on Sunday, September 28. Authorities noted that he repeatedly changed his appearance and hideouts during the period he was on the run, complicating efforts to track him. He faces multiple FIRs, including charges of sexual harassment, molestation, cheating, and forgery, with financial irregularities reportedly amounting to ₹122 crore.
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Police further revealed that two of Saraswati’s female aides were confronted as part of the probe. These aides, who held different positions at the institute, were allegedly threatened by Saraswati to delete lewd messages sent by him.
Both are being questioned in connection with the case, with authorities emphasising that their cooperation is crucial to understanding the full extent of the godman’s misconduct.
During the investigation, Saraswati has been uncooperative and shown no remorse, according to police sources. Officers stated that he frequently provided evasive replies and only responded reluctantly when presented with concrete documents or digital evidence linking him to the offences. On Monday, September 29, he was taken to the institute campus to pinpoint locations where he used to call his victims.
He is a monk of the Arsha Vidya order, Adi Shankara lineage, and a senior disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Over more than 12 years, he studied the canonical texts of the Vedanta schools—the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita.
Saraswati has held prominent positions in academia and international organisations. He has served as the Chancellor and Chairman of Sri Sharada Peetham’s International Research Foundation in New Delhi and has been a fellow of the Corporate Governance Institute, USA, as well as the Chairman of the RKV International Foundation and the Asia-Pacific Development Initiative, a joint economic forum of 25 Asia-Pacific countries. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of two international research journals, Abhinava Prabandhan and The Politieconomy.
Saraswati’s criminal activities reportedly occurred while he was in a position of authority at a centrally approved private institute, allowing him to exploit students. Former students recalled experiencing a stressful and fearful environment due to his actions, highlighting the lasting psychological impact on the victims.
Authorities have secured five days’ custody of Saraswati to further the investigation, with police continuing to examine digital devices, financial records, and witness statements.
The probe aims to hold him accountable for his alleged exploitation and to ensure that all those involved, including any aides who assisted or facilitated his actions, are properly questioned.
The case has sparked widespread concern and discussion about safeguarding students at private educational institutions and the accountability of individuals in positions of trust.
