- Photo: Delhi police
NEW DELHI: In a major breakthrough, Delhi Police late Saturday (Sept 27) night arrested Swami Chaitanyanand Saraswati, also known as Parthasarathi, the controversial head of the Shri Sharada Institute of Indian Management and Research in Vasant Kunj, in connection with multiple allegations of sexual harassment and financial fraud.
He was nabbed from a hotel in Agra, reportedly without any prior intimation to the local police.
Swami Chaitanyanand had been on the run after being accused of sexually harassing several female students at the institute.
His last known location was traced to Agra, prompting an intensive search by multiple Delhi Police teams.
According to investigators, Chaitanyanand lured students, particularly those from economically weaker sections (EWS), by offering promises of foreign trips, better grades, and scholarships, while simultaneously threatening them with academic failure if they refused to comply.
Recovered WhatsApp messages revealed a disturbing pattern of manipulation.
He frequently sent inappropriate messages such as “Baby,” “I love you,” and “I adore you,” while also making comments about the students’ appearance, including their hair and clothing.
Some students were summoned to his room late at night under the pretext of academic discussions, with threats of low grades if they resisted.
Out of 32 students questioned so far, 17 have formally accused him of direct sexual harassment and mental exploitation.
Sixteen of them have recorded statements before a magistrate.
In a shocking revelation, the police investigation also uncovered the alleged involvement of three female faculty members and wardens who are believed to have assisted Chaitanyanand in concealing the abuse.
These individuals reportedly pressured students to delete chat histories and stay silent about the misconduct.
According to hotel staff at Hotel First in Agra, Chaitanyanand checked in on Saturday (Sept 27) at around 4.02pm under the name “Parth Sarathi.”
He reportedly stayed in Room 101 and did not leave the premises during his stay, ordering all food to his room.
At around 3am, a Delhi Police team arrived, verified the guest register, and proceeded to the suspect’s room. After a 15-minute closed-door conversation, Chaitanyanand was taken into custody without resistance.
In addition to the sexual harassment charges, Chaitanyanand is also under investigation for financial fraud.
Delhi Police have registered three FIRs under IPC Sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and other relevant provisions.
Authorities allege that he set up a parallel trust to siphon off funds and control valuable land assets belonging to the original Shri Sharada Institute trust.
An estimated Rs 20 crore was reportedly transferred to the new trust illegally, with another Rs 60 lakh withdrawn in cash since July 2025.
The land encroachment and misappropriation have raised concerns about long-standing administrative irregularities at the institution.
Chaitanyanand has a troubling history, including a 2009 case of cheating and molestation registered in Delhi’s Defence Colony, and a 2016 molestation case filed by a woman in Vasant Kunj.
However, little is currently known about his personal life, which remains under investigation. - The Statesman/ANN
