A SELF-STYLED godman, once associated with a reputed religious organisation, is at the centre of a police investigation after several female students of a management institute here accused him of sexual harassment. The accused -- Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, formerly known as Swami Parthasarathy -- has so far evaded arrest despite raids and surveillance. According to police, the accused was a sanchalak (management committee member) at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management in south-west Delhi. Police also found in the institute’s basement a Volvo car with a forged diplomatic number plate -- 39 UN 1 -- used by Saraswati.

 

This is not the first time he has faced such allegations. Police sources said a case of fraud and molestation was lodged against him at the Defence Colony Police Station in 2009, while another molestation complaint was filed at the Vasant Kunj Police Station in 2016. In the latest case, the complaint was filed on August 4 at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station.

 

During the inquiry, the statements of 32 female PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) students with EWS scholarships were recorded. Of these, 17 alleged that Saraswati used abusive language, sent obscene messages, and made unwanted physical advances. Police said three women, serving as faculty members and administrators at the institute, allegedly abetted the accused by pressuring students to comply with his demands.