Delhi Police have arrested Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Parthasarathy, from a hotel in Agra late Saturday night. Officials say they plan to bring him to court on Sunday.
The suspect faces serious allegations of sexual harassment against female students at Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management in Delhi. The institute links to Sri Sharada Peetham in Sringeri and runs a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) program with scholarships for economically weaker sections (EWS).
It all started with a complaint on August 4 at Vasant Kunj North Police Station. An administrator from the institute reported that Chaitanyananda Saraswati targeted female PGDM students under the EWS scheme.
Police investigated and took statements from 32 female students. Seventeen of them described abusive language, obscene WhatsApp and SMS messages, and unwanted physical contact from the accused. The students also claimed that some female faculty and administrators helped him and pressured the victims to give in to his demands.
On September 23, Delhi Police filed a formal case of sexual harassment based on the complaint. The FIR outlines multiple incidents of misconduct, including lewd messages and threats to hold back students’ degrees and documents.
The report notes that Sri Sharada Peetham revoked Chaitanyananda Saraswati’s power of attorney back in 2008 and cut all ties with him. It mentions alerts from a student and an Air Force officer on July 28 and August 1, 2024, about his alleged sexual atrocities.
The Peetham’s governing council then held a virtual meeting on August 3 with more than 30 female students. They shared stories of trauma, saying the accused pressured EWS students to visit his quarters at night. Some described forced surveillance cameras in the women’s hostel, supposedly for security, and threats of suspension if they spoke up. Parents felt powerless to help, and one student even had to change her name under duress.
Close associates of Chaitanyananda Saraswati allegedly ignored complaints and pushed students to comply. Delhi Police continue to probe these sexual harassment claims at the institute.
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