Delhi godman booked for 'sexually harassing' students

The Delhi Police have booked Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, the director of an educational institute in Vasant Kunj, after 17 women students accused him of sexual harassment.

The police have also issued a lookout circular against Sawmi Chaitanyananda, who is on the run, and intensified searches across Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand to nab him.

According to the 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. DCP (Southwest) Amit Goel said the statements of 32 students were recorded. Of these, 17 of them alleged that the godman used abusive language, obscene WhatsApp messages and SMS and made unwanted physical contact. The victims also accused faculty members of the institute of pressuring them to comply with his demands or else face lower grades.

A case was registered under sections covering sexual harassment and criminal intimidation at the Vasant Kunj North police station. "As many as 16 victims later deposed before the Patiala House Court," said the DCP.

The police conducted raids at the institute and known addresses of Sawmi Chaitanyananda. CCTV footage was analysed, and seized hard disks were sent to a forensic science laboratory.

DCP Goel further said during the raid at the institute, the police had seized a Volvo with a forged diplomatic number plate (39 UN 1) allegedly used by the self-styled godman. A separate case was filed for forgery and cheating.

Sources said Swami Chaitanyananda withdrew his anticipatory bail plea after the police filed a reply in the court. They added that the godman was in London when the first complaints were made and began shifting locations on returning to India. CCTV footage from his Vasant Kunj ashram was found tampered with, raising suspicion of a cover-up. Investigators are probing hostel wardens, who allegedly acted as intermediaries.

Sawmi Chaitanyananda, born as Parthasarathy in Odisha, faced two similar complaints in 2009 and 2016, which saw no action.