Delhi Godman Withdraws Rs 50 Lakh After Sexual Harassment Case Filed: Investigation Reveals Multiple Bank Accounts and Student Exploitation

A fraud and molestation case has been registered against Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati in New Delhi.

Self-proclaimed godman Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, facing accusations of sexually harassing 17 female students at a Delhi institute, reportedly operated bank accounts under different identities and withdrew over Rs 50 lakh after the FIR was filed against him, investigators revealed on Friday.

The investigation uncovered that Saraswati allegedly managed a bank account using two different names by submitting documents with varying details during account opening and transfer procedures. Police reported that approximately Rs 50-55 lakh had been withdrawn since the FIR registration.

A Delhi court on Friday rejected Saraswati's anticipatory bail application in a case involving alleged cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur stated, "The investigation is at an early stage, and the investigating officer requires custodial interrogation of the accused to establish the entire chain of fraud, cheating, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds. According to the investigating officer, the accused is not available at his given address, and his mobile phone is switched off."

"Given the seriousness of allegations and gravity of the offense, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail. Therefore, the present bail application stands dismissed," the judge added.

The investigation thus far, the court noted, revealed the creation of a fraudulent trust called 'Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research Foundation Trust' by Chaitanyananda to divert the property of 'Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research' into this fraudulent entity established by him.

The court stated that the accused transferred a specific plot into the fraudulent trust and sublet it without any approval or notification to the relevant authority.

"Revenues and funds generated from plot number 7 were intended for Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research and the peetham, but the accused diverted these revenues for his personal benefit and criminally misappropriated the property and funds of the peetham," the order stated.

Saraswati has been charged with sexually harassing 17 female students, whom he allegedly controlled by confiscating their mobile phones and original certificates, creating fear that compelled them to comply with his demands, according to a friend of one victim.

"He identified students first and required them to surrender their phones to 'focus on studies.' The phones remained in his possession for some time, and he would provide a new device of his choosing. This ensured communication was under his control," alleged the friend, who attended the same institute.

Speaking anonymously, he claimed that upon admission, students were required to submit all original documents and certificates, which were returned only after course completion.

"This created fear, as every student's career was at stake. Anyone who resisted or complained worried their certificates might be withheld, destroying their careers," he alleged.

He further claimed that female students were threatened with failure or expulsion if they didn't comply with Saraswati or his close associates. "Girls were repeatedly warned their careers would be ruined if they opposed him. Some were even expelled. Finally, someone had the courage to speak up," he stated.

Saraswati remains at large, as more accounts emerge about the "inescapable web" he allegedly created to intimidate students and maintain control over the institute's operations.

A student from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category filed a complaint in March 2025, alleging she was asked to pay additional money despite already contributing Rs 60,000 as a donation, according to a family friend who spoke to PTI.

Chaitanyananda (62), former chairman of the management institute in southwest Delhi, had reportedly established a network of supporters within the institution by appointing them to positions they weren't qualified for, the source claimed anonymously.

"Chaitanyananda told her she must either pay another Rs 60,000, work without salary at the institute for a year, or leave the college," he alleged.

An FIR was registered on August 4 against Chaitanyananda after an IAF officer filed a complaint with the administration of the private management institute. The complaint stated that during a virtual meeting involving over 30 female students, several revealed instances of sexual harassment, manipulation, and threats by him, according to police.