Self-styled godman tracked women through CCTV feed

Self-styled godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati used to keep a close watch on women through CCTV feed which was directly accessible from his mobile phone, an officer privy to the probe said on Thursday.

As per the official, the alleged ‘Baba’ had “deliberately” got CCTV cameras installed at “private spaces” within the premises of the institute. “We found CCTV cameras just outside women washrooms and even the hostel lobby. He kept a close eye on the movement of hosteliers,” the official said.

However, the accused also tampered with the institution’s digital video recorder (DVR), resulting in deletion of crucial videos, the official added.

The police said the investigation also revealed that Saraswati tightened his control over the institute by allegedly subletting the properties of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, which runs it, to private companies for financial gains.

So far, two cars have been traced to Saraswati — a Volvo carrying a forged diplomatic number plate, ‘39 UN 1’, registered in a fake address, and a BMW he purchased in March, the official added.

“After buying the BMW, he performed a pooja along with the institute’s female students, drove them around and played songs while making inappropriate comments. He also used the same car to take them to Rishikesh for an industrial visit,” the FIR said.

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.