Delhi 'Godman' Accused of Molesting 17 Students Arrested in Agra
Self-styled godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing 17 female students at a Delhi management institute, has been arrested in Agra. The 62-year-old, a former chairman of the institute, had been a fugitive since an FIR was registered in August. He allegedly forced students to his quarters late at night and sent inappropriate messages. Police traced him to a hotel and apprehended him. Authorities had earlier frozen ₹8 crore linked to Saraswati across multiple bank accounts.
Unpacked:
Chaitanyananda Saraswati was the former chairman and a committee member at the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management in Delhi, where the alleged harassment took place.
Authorities interviewed 32 students, with 17 alleging abuse. Some faculty and administrators reportedly pressured students to comply with Saraswati’s demands. Police registered a case in August and continued to gather statements from victims before a magistrate.
Police froze ₹8 crore linked to Saraswati across several bank accounts and also discovered a Volvo bus with a forged diplomatic number plate used by him, leading to a separate FIR.
Saraswati is linked to 28 published books with celebrity forewords, suggesting considerable influence and visibility beyond the institute, which may have impacted both his standing and the handling of allegations.