Delhi: Chaitanyananda Saraswati, the self-styled godman facing allegations of sexually harassing at least 17 women at the Delhi-based Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research, was apprehended in Agra early Sunday after nearly two months on the run.
Delhi Ashramn Director Arrested in Agra
Delhi Police sources confirmed that the 62-year-old suspect changed accommodation 15 times over a 50-day period as he attempted to evade arrest. Saraswati’s strategy, managed by unnamed aides currently sought by investigators, involved staying exclusively in “cheap hotels with no CCTV cameras.”
Following his transfer to police custody, Saraswati is reportedly uncooperative with the probe. Sources indicate that the godman is “not cooperating with the investigators and is not responding to questions properly,” repeatedly telling officers that he was “feeling anxious” and dismissing all allegations as baseless. He further claimed to have “forgotten the passwords to his phones and other digital devices.” Authorities have since sent three of his phones and an iPad to a forensic lab.
The extensive police probe was catalyzed by a letter sent to the institute’s management on July 31 from a former student, detailing a sinister pattern of sexual harassment against women from underprivileged families. This was quickly followed by an email from a Group Captain in the Air Force Directorate of Education, which intervened because many students were from Air Force personnel families.
Here’s what witnesses said:
After recording student statements, the institute approached the police, resulting in an FIR being registered against Saraswati. The institution subsequently revoked his power of attorney and formed a new governing council. Prior to the sexual harassment allegations, the institute had also filed a separate complaint accusing Saraswati of fraud, forgery, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.
Shocking allegations from students include the charge that Saraswati installed CCTV cameras in the ladies’ hostel for surveillance and compelled students to join him on foreign trips. Three staff members, including the associate dean, have been named as co-accused for allegedly forcing students to entertain his overtures.
