Delhi Police Hunts Self-Styled Godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati Following Sexual Harassment Allegations at Management Institute

New Delhi: Delhi Police is intensively searching for Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a self-styled godman accused of sexually harassing students at a management institute. The investigation has revealed that consecutive complaints from an alumnus and the Air Force headquarters alerted the institute's management, leading to the exposure of his alleged misconduct.

According to the FIR, the management of Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research in Delhi's Vasant Kunj first received a warning through a letter from a female alumnus. This letter, received on July 31, alleged that Chaitanyananda (62), also known as Parthasarathy, who served as the institute's director, had been sexually harassing students.

The following day, the institute received an email from a Group Captain in the Air Force's Directorate of Education. The email highlighted complaints from multiple students who accused Chaitanyananda of threatening behavior and sending offensive messages. The Air Force's involvement stemmed from the fact that many students at the institute came from Air Force families.

Prompted by these communications, the institute reported Chaitanyananda to the police and provided 300 pages of evidence against him. Police recorded student statements and registered an FIR. The institute subsequently revoked Chaitanyananda's power of attorney and formed a new governing council comprising 11 members.

Even before the sexual harassment allegations surfaced, the institute had filed a separate complaint against Chaitanyananda, accusing him of fraud, forgery, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.

On August 3, the new council conducted a virtual meeting with 30 female students, during which disturbing allegations emerged. Students from underprivileged backgrounds were allegedly forced to visit Chaitanyananda at night. He reportedly sent lewd messages to students and threatened to withhold their academic documents and degrees if they rejected his advances.

Students also claimed that cameras were installed in the women's hostel under the pretext of security, and some were forced to accompany Chaitanyananda on international trips.

The FIR named the institute's associate dean and several others as co-accused, alleging they coerced students into entertaining Chaitanyananda's inappropriate behavior. According to the FIR, students are now living in "grave fear" and are concerned for their safety.

Chaitanyananda is currently evading authorities. Police have issued a lookout circular to prevent him from leaving the country. The Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka's Sringeri, with which Chaitanyananda was previously associated, has publicly distanced itself from him.

"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). As a result, the Peetham has severed all ties with him," stated an official release.