NEW DELHI: A self-styled spiritual leader, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Swami Parthasarathy, is on the run after 17 female students accused him of sexual harassment at a Vasant Kunj-based management institute. The complaint, filed on August 4 by PA Murli, administrator of Sri Sringeri Math which runs the institute, alleged that Saraswati sexually harassed students enrolled in postgraduate diploma courses under the EWS scholarship quota.
Out of 32 statements recorded, 17 students detailed incidents of abuse, including obscene messages, abusive language, threats, and unwanted physical contact.Here’s all you need to knowAccused: Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati (alias Parthasarathy)What happened:
- On Aug 4, PA Murli, administrator of Sri Sringeri Math who runs the institute, filed a complaint against Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati for sexually harassing female students.
- The survivors were pursuing postgraduate diplomas in management under the EWS scholarship at the institute.
- Out of 32 female students whose statements were recorded, 17 alleged abuse, including abusive language, obscene messages and unwanted physical contact.
- The students claimed that female faculty and administrative staff pressured them to comply with the accused’s demands.
- A sedan with a fake United Nations (UN) number plate was recovered during the investigation.
- The accused is currently absconding.
Investigation:
Delhi Police questioned three women’s hostel wardens accused of sending students to Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati.- WhatsApp chats revealed suggestive messages, including “Come to my room… I’ll take you abroad, no cost”, and threats like “…if you don’t obey me, I will fail you.”
- The accused was in London when complaints surfaced, and upon returning to India, he frequently changed locations to evade capture.
- Nine fake number plates were recovered.
- Delhi Police issued a lookout circular against him, and his anticipatory bail attempt was withdrawn after the police’s response.
- Police have sent the CCTV footage for forensic analysis following allegations of tampering.
Cases against accused:
- 2009: Forgery and molestation case registered at Defence Colony Police Station.
- 2016: Molestation case filed by a student of the Vasant Kunj institute (currently at trial stage).
- 2025: Molestation of institute students, fake vehicle number plates, cheating.
Late at night, the institute said it had received several complaints from a senior official of directorate of education about harassment of students and “arbitrary decisions” and “vindictive behaviour” by the suspect.
