New Delhi: In a swift unraveling of a long-hidden scandal, Delhi Police have intensified efforts to apprehend Chaitanyananda Saraswati, the 62-year-old self-proclaimed spiritual leader accused of sexually exploiting female students at a prominent management institute. The investigation traces the catalyst for his downfall to consecutive alerts from an alumnus and Indian Air Force officials, which prompted a thorough internal probe and legal action.
The episode began with a detailed letter arriving at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research in Vasant Kunj on July 31. Penned by a female former student, the correspondence exposed persistent sexual harassment by Saraswati also known by his earlier name, Parthasarathy who served as the institute’s director. This initial disclosure set off a chain reaction within the management.
Just one day later, on August 1, an email from a Group Captain in the Air Force’s Directorate of Education amplified the concerns. The message highlighted grievances from multiple students, including threats and inappropriate communications from Saraswati. The intervention stemmed from the fact that numerous affected students hailed from families of serving Air Force members, underscoring the military’s protective role in the matter.
Responding decisively, the institute lodged a formal complaint with Delhi Police, bolstering it with a substantial 300-page dossier of supporting evidence. Authorities promptly interviewed the students, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). In parallel, the management stripped Saraswati of his power of attorney and established a fresh 11-member governing council to restore oversight.
This was not the first grievance against him; prior to the harassment claims, the institute had already accused Saraswati of fraud, forgery, cheating, and breach of trust.
On August 3, the new council conducted virtual sessions with 30 female students, eliciting harrowing accounts. Victims from economically disadvantaged backgrounds described being coerced into late-night visits to Saraswati’s residence. He reportedly bombarded them with explicit messages, warning that refusal would result in withheld academic records and degrees. Further allegations included the installation of surveillance cameras in the women’s hostel under the guise of safety measures, as well as mandatory participation in his overseas travels.
Students also implicated the institute’s associate dean and other staff in pressuring them to comply with Saraswati’s demands, naming three employees as co-accused in the FIR. The document notes a pervasive atmosphere of dread among the students, who expressed fears for their personal safety.
With Saraswati now evading capture, police have circulated a lookout notice at international borders to thwart any escape attempt. The Karnataka-based Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham in Sringeri, with which he was once affiliated, has publicly disavowed him. In an official statement, the organization declared: “The public is hereby informed that Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, formerly known as Swami (Dr.) Parthasarathy has engaged in activities that are illegal, inappropriate, and detrimental to the interests of Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri (Peetham). As a result, the Peetham has severed all ties with him.”
As the probe deepens, the case highlights vulnerabilities in educational institutions and the critical role of institutional whistleblowing in combating exploitation.
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