Sexually harassed 17 female students, travelled in car with fake number plate; case registered against self-styled godman

NEW DELHI: 17 female students have lodged a complaint against the director of a well-known ashram in Delhi, accusing him of sexually harassing them. The complaint has been filed against Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Parthasarathi, the director of Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management in Vasant Kunj. The complainants are students pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Management under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scholarship.

In their complaint, the students alleged that Chaitanyananda used abusive language, sent lewd messages and touched them inappropriately. The complaint also states that teachers and staff pressured the students to comply with the director's demands. Some students said it was the wardens of the ashram who introduced them to Chaitanyananda. Police confirmed that they have registered a case of sexual harassment against Chaitanyananda.

Raids were carried out at both the institute and his residence, and CCTV footage has been examined. Police said that Chaitanyananda is out of station and that a probe has been launched to find him. A car used by Chaitanyananda was found in the institute’s basement, and investigators revealed that it carried a fake number plate. Following the allegations, the Sringeri Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, which manages the ashram, announced that Chaitanyananda has been removed from the post of director. In a statement, the Peetham said his actions were unlawful and against the institution’s values.