Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati Arrested In Agra for Molesting 17 Students at Delhi Institute

Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, previously the chairman of Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research in Vasant Kunj, was apprehended by Delhi Police in Agra. He had been evading arrest since August following several FIRs against him. Allegations include sexual harassment of 17 students and financial misconduct involving a trust valued at ₹122 crore.

The accusations against Saraswati stem from a complaint filed on August 5 by P.A. Murali, administrator of the Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which owns the college. The six-page FIR contains statements from a 21-year-old student and mentions 32 other women who reportedly shared their experiences of repeated harassment with the college council.

Financial Irregularities and Fake Diplomatic Plates

In addition to molestation charges, Saraswati faces allegations of financial irregularities involving a trust worth ₹122 crore. Authorities have frozen over ₹8 crore across 18 bank accounts and 28 fixed deposits linked to him. He is also accused of using nine fake diplomatic car number plates marked with "UN".

The religious organisation heading the college, Peetham, had earlier announced severing ties with Saraswati due to molestation complaints and alleged financial deception. The police lodged an FIR based on statements accusing him of sexual harassment, acts insulting women's modesty, and criminal intimidation.

Investigation and Arrest

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel stated that during inquiries with students, statements from 32 female students were recorded. Out of these, 17 alleged receiving obscene WhatsApp messages, abusive language, and unwanted physical contact from Saraswati. Faculty members reportedly pressured students to comply with his demands.

Police analysed CCTV footage and conducted multiple raids at incident locations and Saraswati's known addresses. NVRs and hard disks from the institute were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis. Statements from 16 victims were recorded before a magistrate at Patiala House Court.

Previous Cases Against Saraswati

Saraswati has five cases registered against him. The first case was filed in Defence Colony in 2009, while another molestation case was lodged by a student in Vasant Kunj in 2016. Three additional FIRs were filed this year for molestation, cheating, forgery, among other charges.

Saraswati continuously altered his appearance and hideouts to evade capture. Over five police teams worked tirelessly to track him down. DCP Goel confirmed that he was finally apprehended in Agra late on Saturday and is being transported to Delhi for further proceedings.