Cops intensify search to nab ‘Baba’

The Delhi Police have intensified their search to arrest self-styled godman Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing 17 girl students at a private management institute in South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, who is trying to evade arrest by disguising himself, an official said.

The cops also believe that the accused is refraining from using his mobile or any other gadget that could give any clue to the investigators about his whereabouts.

As per the police, his last location was traced to Mumbai based on the record of his travel. After this, he remains untraceable.

According to a complaint filed by Sri Sringeri Math administrator PA Murli, Sawmi Chaitanyananda allegedly targeted women students, especially those enrolled under the EWS scholarship quota, at Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management in Vasant Kunj.

As per the FIR lodged in August 2025, several women students have accused the 52-year-old religious figure - born Partha Sarathy in Odisha - of harassment, coercion and intimidation.

Three women staff members - identified in the FIR as Shweta, Bhavana, and Kajal - are accused of pressuring the complainant to delete these exchanges and even drafting an apology email on her behalf.

The FIR further mentioned that during Holi celebrations, students were allegedly made to line up and apply colour to Saraswati first. Later, one of the complainants stated that she was summoned to his office, where he forcibly recorded a video and made objectionable remarks.

Further allegations include incidents during a trip to Rishikesh in June 2025, where several students claim they were called at odd hours and subjected to molestation. Those who resisted were allegedly barred from sitting for examinations or had their marks reduced.

A police team also arrived at Sharada institute on Thursday afternoon as the probe into the case continues.

The case against Saraswati has been registered under Sections 75(2) (sexual harassment), 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Vasant Kunj North police station.

This is not the first time Saraswati has faced such accusations. Police records show he evaded earlier molestation charges in both 2009 and 2016, reportedly using his influence and network to avoid prosecution.

Moreover, he is also accused of encroaching on the institute’s private property and renting it out to private companies for profit.

Earlier, the police had also issued a lookout circular against Saraswati, which means he could not fly out from the country.