Delhi Police have booked the self-styled Godman Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati following the accusations of sexual harassment against over a dozen female students.
Detailed Information:
Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, alias Partha Sarathy, is a well-known director of an ashram situated in Delhi’s posh area, the Vasant Kunj region. According to the police, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati has been accused by several women students of sexual harassment.
Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati of Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management has been booked under a police case for harassing the female students who are pursuing post-graduate management diploma courses with scholarship in the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category.
According to the police officials, at least 17 out of 32 female students, who had recorded their statements with the police, have accused Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati of multiple offences. These accusations include the use of abusive language, sending indecent or lewd text messages, and forceful physical contact.
The victims alleged that they were pressurised by the women faculty members and the administration staff to comply with the demands that were made by the accused.
According to the students, there were some wardens from the ashram who introduced them to Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati.
According to DCP, South-West District, Amit Goyal, based on the statements given by the female students, the police registered a case for sexual harassment and other charges against Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati alias Partha Sarathy.
Police Investigation & Findings:
Police have analysed the CCTV footage, based on which they carried out raids at the locations that were linked to the crime, along with the accused’s residence.
Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati remains absconding, and several police teams have been formed to search for him. Despite carrying out several raids and intensive surveillance, the accused remained on the run. The complaint was filed against him on 4 August at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station.
While conducting the investigation, the police discovered a Volvo car parked in the basement of the institute. It was found that the vehicle belonged to Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati and was used by him.
Upon verification, it was discovered that the Volvo car used a forged diplomatic number plate. Another FIR was lodged against the accused on 25 August, and the car was seized.
In another finding, police discovered that the accused had been living in Delhi for the past 12 years, but was originally a resident of Odisha. Before this incident came to light, there were already two cases registered against Swami for molestation in 2009 and 2016.
When the accusations against Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati surfaced online, the ashram administration removed him from his post and expelled him. The ashram unit, headed by the accused, is a branch of a prominent ashram located in South India.
A statement about the misconduct of Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati was issued by the Dakshinamaya Sri Sharada Peetha, Sringeri, which runs the Delhi facility. They mentioned that the conduct and activities in which the accused was involved were illegal, inappropriate, and against the interests of the Peetha. It claimed that it had cut all the ties with Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati.
