New Delhi [India], September 28 (HBTV): Delhi Police apprehended Chaitanyananda Saraswati from a hotel in Agra late on Saturday night. He will be produced in court on Sunday, officials said.
Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Parthasarathy, is accused of sexually harassing female students at Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management. The institute, affiliated with Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) course under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scholarship.
Police said a complaint was filed on August 4 at Vasant Kunj North Police Station by an administrator of the institution, alleging sexual harassment of female students pursuing PGDM courses under the EWS scholarship scheme. During the enquiry, statements of 32 students were recorded, out of which 17 alleged abusive language, obscene WhatsApp/SMS messages, and unwanted physical contact by the accused. Victims also alleged that some women serving as faculty and administrators pressured them to comply with his demands.
A case was registered on September 23 against Chaitanyananda Saraswati based on the complaint. According to the FIR, he has been accused of committing multiple acts of sexual harassment and misconduct. The Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, has revoked the Powers of Attorney issued to him in 2008 and announced that it has severed all ties with him.
The complaint highlights communications received by the Peetham on July 28 and August 1, 2025, from a student and an Air Force officer, flagging allegations of sexual misconduct. Acting on these inputs, the Governing Council of the Peetham held a virtual meeting with more than 30 women students on August 3, where allegations of harassment and coercion were raised.
The FIR also mentions accusations of lewd messages sent via WhatsApp and SMS, threats of withholding degrees and documents, and surveillance cameras being installed inside the women’s hostel under the pretext of security. It further alleges that students were threatened with suspension, parents were discouraged from intervening, and in one case, a student was forced to change her name.
(ANI)