A major sexual harassment scandal has erupted at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj after several female students accused self-styled godman Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati of harassment, intimidation, and abuse of authority.
According to the FIR filed by the institute’s management, students were allegedly coerced to visit Saraswati’s quarters late at night, threatened with suspension, and warned their degrees would be withheld if they resisted his advances.
One 21-year-old scholarship student recounted that Saraswati sent her inappropriate messages such as, “Baby, I love you… you look beautiful today.” She alleged that when she ignored his messages, he would force her to respond and even recorded videos of her without consent.
The student further claimed that after she resisted, her attendance records were manipulated, marks were deducted from her exam papers, and she was summoned for rituals, during which Saraswati allegedly passed inappropriate remarks. She also alleged that three senior women teachers pressured her to delete evidence from her phone.
Key Developments:
- FIR Filed: Case registered under Sections 75(2) (sexual harassment), 79 (outraging modesty), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Forged Number Plate Found: Police recovered a Volvo car with a fake diplomatic plate (“39 UN 1”) from the institute’s basement.
- Multiple Accused: Three women wardens named as co-accused for allegedly coercing students and helping destroy evidence.
- Lookout Circular Issued: To prevent Saraswati from fleeing the country.
The Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka, with which Saraswati was once associated, has publicly distanced itself from him.
Police have launched a manhunt and formed multiple teams to trace Saraswati, who is also the author of 28 books endorsed by several prominent personalities.
