Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati Bail Plea Denied Amid Alleged Sexual And Financial Misconduct

A Delhi court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of self-styled godman Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, who is under investigation for alleged financial irregularities at a private management institute. The order was passed by the Patiala House Court, which observed that the seriousness of the allegations warrants custodial interrogation at this stage.

The decision comes shortly after the court reserved its order on another case against Saraswati involving cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

Financial Irregularities

The FIR lodged against Saraswati includes charges of:

• Cheating by personation
• Cheating by dishonestly inducing a person to deliver property or consent to its retention
• Forgery and use of forged documents or electronic records as genuine
• Criminal conspiracy

According to the Delhi Police, the investigation into financial irregularities revealed that Saraswati allegedly tightened his control over the institute by subletting properties of the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham to private companies for financial gain.

Sexual Harassment Allegations

Apart from financial irregularities, Saraswati is also accused of harassing 17 female students of the institute. The Vasant Kunj North Police Station received complaints that the godman sent obscene messages via WhatsApp and SMS, used abusive language, and engaged in unwanted physical contact.

During the investigation, statements of 32 female students were recorded, of which 17 alleged harassment. Victims claimed that some faculty and administrative staff pressured them to comply with Saraswati's demands.

The institute, affiliated with Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scholarship. The allegations have caused significant concern in Delhi, and police are actively trying to locate Saraswati, who is currently on the run.

Court's Observation

The Patiala House Court emphasized that the gravity of the accusations, both financial and sexual harassment-related, makes custodial investigation necessary. The rejection of anticipatory bail underscores the seriousness with which the court is treating these cases.