Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati is accused of sexually harassing dozens of female student at a Delhi-based institute.
Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, the self-styled godman accused of sexual harassment and intimidation of dozens of female students at a Delhi-based institution allegedly sent lewd WhatsApp messages to the victims and forced them to visit his quarters late at night, an FIR filed by the Delhi Police has revealed.
What are the charges against Chaitanyananda Saraswati?
As per the FIR filed at Vasant Kunj North Police Station, Saraswati sent lewd messages sent via WhatsApp and SMS to students and threatened with suspension and withholding of degrees if they resisted his advances. The tainted godman also forced students, most of which belonged to economically weaker sections, to visit his quarters at night.
The FIR was filed based on a complaint by the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management which alleged that more than 30 female students has revealed instances of sexual harassment and intimidation by Chaitanyananda during a virtual interaction with the management.
During the meeting, the students revealed that they were sexually harassed and traumatised, with claims that those from economically weaker sections were allegedly pressured to visit the Chaitanyananda Saraswati’s quarters at night, and one student was even forced to change her name.
The complaint also alleges that surveillance cameras were installed inside the women’s hostel under the pretext of security, and that some people close to the Chaitanyananda Saraswati allegedly compelled students to comply with the accused’s demands while turning a blind eye to complaints.
The complaint also highlights communications received by the Sri Sharada Peetham on July 28 and August 1, 2025, from a student and an Air Force officer, flagging allegations of “sexual atrocities” committed by the accused. Acting on these inputs, the Governing Council of the Peetham held a virtual meeting with over 30 women students on August 3.
Who is Chaitanyananda Saraswati?
A native of Odisha, Chaitanyananda Saraswati was the caretaker of the Sri Sharada Peetham, where he had been residing for the last 12 years. Sarawasti, who was earlier known as Dr Swami Parthasarathy, was also the manager of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, a private engineering institute in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, where he is accused of molesting female students,
On August 4, P.A. Murli, the administrator of Sri Sringeri Math and its properties, filed a complaint against Chaitanyananda Saraswati, following which the Delhi Police analyzed footage and conducted raids at the home of the accused and the institute.
Notably, this isn’t the first time when Chaitanyananda Saraswati has faced criminal charges. In 2009, a case of cheating and molestation was registered against him in Defence Colony, and in 2016, a woman in Vasant Kunj filed a molestation complaint against the self-styled godman.
Meanwhile, in the complaint, Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, said it had revoked the Powers of Attorney issued to Saraswati in 2008, and severed all ties with him.
“Chaitanyananda Saraswati, formerly known as Dr. Parthasarathy, has engaged in activities that are illegal, inappropriate, and detrimental to the interests of Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham. Sringeri (Peetham). As a result, the Peetham has severed all ties with him. The Peetham has also lodged complaints with the relevant authorities regarding illegal acts committed by Chaitanyananda Saraswati,” it said in a statement.
(With inputs from agencies)
