New Delhi, Sep 24: The director of a reputed ashram in Delhi's upscale Vasant Kunj locality has been accused of sexually harassing multiple women students and is currently absconding, police said on Wednesday. According to the officials, the accused, identified as Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati alias Partha Sarathy of the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management, is facing a police case for allegedly targeting students enrolled in post-graduate management diploma courses under the economically weaker sections (EWS) category with scholarships. The investigators said that at least 17 out of 32 female students who recorded their statements accused Chaitanyananda of sexually harassing them.
FIR Against Delhi Asharam Baba
The complaints also include allegations of abusive language, lewd text messages, and instances of forced physical contact, the police said. The victims further alleged that women faculty members and administrative staff pressured them to comply with the demands of the accused. Several students also claimed that wardens at the ashram had introduced them to him, the police said in a statement. Additionally, the authorities mentioned that the accused was found driving a luxury Volvo car bearing a fake United Nations number plate (39 UN 1).
Statement of Deputy Commissioner
Police, South-West Delhi, Aishwarya Singh, on Wednesday said that the Delhi Police is making every effort to nab Chaitanyananda Saraswati, who was accused of allegedly molesting girl students at Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management in Vasant Kunj, where he was a director.
The DCP said that the investigation in the case is still ongoing and the statements from the alleged victims are still being recorded.
"The investigation has been registered under the appropriate sections. Separate sections for forgery have been filed, and a separate section for sexual harassment has been filed. The complaint was received in August. An FIR was filed. The legal investigation into this matter is still ongoing," Aishwarya Singh told reporters.
Accordingly, a case under sections 75(2)/79/351(2) BNS was registered at PS Vasant Kunj North, and an investigation was taken up. CCTV footage were analyzed, and several raids were conducted at the place of incident as well as at the addresses of the alleged person. However, the accused is evading. NVRs/ hard disks collected from SRISIIM Institute sent to FSL. Statements under sections 83 BNSS of 16 victims have been recorded before a Judicial Magistrate at the Patiala House Courts.
During the investigation, a Volvo car was found parked in the basement of the institution. On verification, it was found that the car with forged diplomatic number plate 39 UN 1 was allegedly used by Chaitanyanand Saraswati .
Accordingly, a case FIR No. 385/2025, dated August 25, under sections 345(3)/318(4)/336(3)/340(2) BNS was registered at Vasant Kunj North Police statio,n and the car was seized, said the Delhi Police. The main accused has been evading investigation despite repeated efforts and is absconding.
Fake UN Number Plate?
Investigations revealed that the number plate had not been issued by the UN but was fabricated by Chaitanyananda himself. The car has since been seized. "A case of sexual harassment and other relevant charges has been registered against Swami Chaitanyananda," confirmed Amit Goyal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South-West District. He added that the accused has been missing since the case was filed.
About CCTV Footage
Police teams have examined CCTV footage and conducted multiple raids both at the crime location and the accused's residence. However, Chaitanyananda remains untraceable. Investigations are underway, and further details are awaited. Source- IANS and ANI