Delhi Godman Exposed: Chaitanyananda's Web of Fraud, Forgery, and Sexual Harassment

Chaitanyananda Saraswati also fabricated connections to the Prime Minister's Office to bolster his credibility.

New Delhi:

Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a self-proclaimed 'godman' recently arrested for sexually harassing 17 women at a Delhi ashram, has been revealed to have engaged in numerous fraudulent activities, including document forgery. Police investigations uncovered counterfeit visiting cards where he presented himself as a Permanent Ambassador of the United Nations and as an Indian Special Envoy of BRICS.

According to police reports, Chaitanyananda fabricated connections to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). He regularly instructed his associates to make calls claiming he maintained high-level government connections to enhance his perceived status and influence.

Investigators discovered two passports obtained through forged documentation - one under the name Swami Partha Sarathi and another as Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati. The first passport listed his father as Swami Ghanananda Puri (matching his PAN card) and his mother as Sharada Amba. The second document named Swami Dayananda Saraswati as his father and Sharada Ambal as his mother.

These passports contained contradictory information, with one citing Darjeeling as his birthplace while the other listed Tamil Nadu.

The investigation also revealed that Chaitanyananda maintained two separate bank accounts with Union Bank of India under different identities.

Officials reported that in 1998, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor allocated a plot in Vasant Kunj to Sharada Peeth for establishing a 'math,' with Chaitanyananda appointed as a senior official. By 2008, he had collaborated with others to unauthorized rename the institution to Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management. Additionally, a property belonging to the 'math' was leased without proper authorization.

Authorities uncovered a Rs 40 crore fraud scheme involving forged documents. Three phones, including an iPhone, were recovered from Chaitanyananda's possession.

Police records indicate Chaitanyananda previously evaded molestation charges in 2009 and 2016, reportedly using his connections to avoid prosecution. In the current case, 17 women collectively filed complaints in early August, after which the self-styled godman went into hiding. Initially believed to be in London, he was eventually traced to Agra. Officials reported that during his 50 days as a fugitive, he stayed in Vrindavan and Mathura, concealing himself in religious establishments to avoid recognition while changing hotels more than 15 times.

Chaitanyananda was apprehended in Agra on Sunday morning following his 50-day evasion of authorities. The complaints against him range from verbal abuse and sending lewd messages to forced physical contact at his Delhi ashram. The complainants, who were students, alleged that ashram wardens introduced them to Chaitanyananda, who would summon them to his private quarters and entice them with promises of international travel. He had also covertly installed surveillance cameras in the women's hostel.

A woman who filed molestation charges against him in 2016 described his "vulture-like eyes." According to her FIR, she was just 20 years old when she left the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management after only eight months due to harassment. She stated, "It was the most difficult period of my life. As soon as I joined the institute, Baba started sending me obscene messages. He called me 'baby' and 'sweet girl.' After classes ended at 6:30 pm, he would call me to his office and harass me."

Following these recent allegations, the ashram administration removed Chaitanyananda from his position.

Chaitanyananda projected himself as a highly qualified management expert, claiming to have authored 28 books featuring a foreword by Apple founder Steve Jobs and appreciation from former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. His author profile asserts that US President Barack Obama referenced his book 'Transforming Personality' "a number of times" during campaign speeches, and claimed the book was a bestseller in European and North American markets in 2007.

His academic profiles claim an MBA and PhD from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, along with post-doctoral degrees, a DLitt, and seven honorary DLitt degrees from universities worldwide. However, Delhi police sources indicate they believe many of these credentials are fraudulent.