'Godman' Who Rarely Uses Mobile Phones. Who Is Delhi Baba Accused Of Molestation

'Godman' Who Rarely Uses Mobile Phones. Who Is Delhi Baba Accused Of Molestation

New Delhi:

A self-proclaimed 'godman' known as 'Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati', originally born as Partha Sarathy in Odisha, has been implicated in sexual harassment allegations involving more than a dozen women at an ashram in Delhi's upscale Vasant Kunj area.

Reportedly serving as the 'director' of the privately operated Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, he now faces accusations from 17 students. The complaints range from verbal abuse and sending inappropriate text messages to unwanted physical contact.

All 17 victims have provided official statements, additionally claiming they were subjected to blackmail.

Investigators are also examining the involvement of female faculty members and administrative personnel who allegedly coerced students into complying with sexual demands in this disturbing case.

The 'godman' has evaded capture with his last confirmed location being Agra. Police teams have been deployed to locate and apprehend him, but their efforts are complicated by his minimal use of mobile phones—a rarity in today's digital era that significantly hampers tracking capabilities.

Who Is Delhi Baba Accused Of Sex Assault?

According to police sources who spoke to NDTV, 'Chaitanyananda Saraswati' has resided in the Vasant Kunj ashram for 12 years, claiming to be its 'caretaker'. Ashram officials stated they had 'expelled' him following the sexual assault allegations. However, records indicate he previously faced two molestation cases—filed in 2009 and 2016—with the ashram apparently taking no substantive action.

In 2009, authorities at Delhi's Defence Colony registered a molestation and fraud complaint against him, resulting in a brief detention. Seven years later, another molestation case was filed in Vasant Kunj.

While his financial standing remains unclear, evidence suggests he has accumulated considerable wealth over the past decade—sufficient at least to acquire counterfeit diplomatic license plates for his saffron-colored Volvo sedan. The vehicle was discovered in the basement of the Vasant Kunj 'ashram'.

The car displayed fraudulent United Nations plates marked 39 UN 1.

Investigators have seized the vehicle, CCTV footage from the ashram, and various digital devices for further examination. Police are also reviewing the previous complaints against him.

'Inappropriate', Says Ashram

The Delhi unit he supervised is affiliated with a prominent South Indian religious organization, the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetha in Sringeri, which condemned his actions as "inappropriate".

"The public is hereby informed that Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, formerly known as Swami (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)," their statement declared. "As a result, the Peetham has severed all ties with him."

'Taking Steps': AICTE

The All India Council for Technical Education, which oversees the institute, has acknowledged approving the establishment of the 'Sri Sharadha Institute of Indian Management-Research'.

"The Peetham administers the institution through a Governing Council, chaired by Dr Krishna Venkatesh, a respected educationist, along with other distinguished individuals."

"The Governing Council is actively taking steps to ensure the welfare of students and to prevent any disruption to the ongoing educational programmes," the statement affirmed.

With input from agencies

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.