Delhi baba, accused of molesting 17 women, arrested in Agra

Self-styled godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati was arrested from Agra early Sunday, Delhi Police said.

The arrest follows allegations of sexually harassing 17 female students, primarily from the economically weaker sections, and alleged financial misconduct involving Rs 122 crore.

Earlier, police froze Rs 8 crore linked to Saraswati and parked in 18 bank accounts and 28 fixed deposits.

The former chairman of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research in Vasant Kunj has been absconding for a month after multiple FIRs were lodged against him, including charges of molestation, cheating, and forgery.

“He was finally caught in Agra late on Saturday and is being brought to Delhi,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel.

The case surfaced on August 5, when PA Murali, an administrator of the Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which oversees the institute, lodged a complaint.

The detailed six-page FIR included a 21-year-old student’s account, along with references to 32 other women who also reported harassment.

“Statements of 16 victims have been recorded before a magistrate at Patiala House Court,” DCP Goel said. Police have also analysed CCTV footage and seized NVRs/hard disks from the institute, which are now undergoing forensic examination.

Chaitanyananda has a history of molestation cases from 2009 and 2016, the latter of which is still pending trial.

He is also accused of embezzlement and using nine fake diplomatic car number plates marked “UN.”