Molestation-Accused Godman Faces Fresh Allegations as Police Intensify Search

A woman who filed a molestation complaint against self-styled godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati in 2016 has recalled the ordeal as the “most distressing period” of her life, describing him as having “vulture-like eyes.”

The 62-year-old, also known as Swami Parthasarathy, is now at the centre of fresh allegations involving the sexual harassment of 17 students at his private management institute in Vasant Kunj, southwest Delhi.

According to her 2016 FIR, the complainant—then a 20-year-old student—said she left the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management within eight months of joining, citing repeated harassment. “As soon as I joined, Baba began sending obscene messages, calling me ‘baby’ and ‘sweet girl.’ After classes ended around 6:30 p.m., he would summon me to his office and harass me,” the complaint stated.

She further alleged that Chaitanyananda attempted to lure her with promises of funding her higher education in Dubai, insisting she was “very talented.” His staff, she said, pressured her to comply while he confiscated her mobile phone, isolated her in the hostel, and frequently called her on the landline. “He would even talk about taking me out to dinner and staying in fancy hotels. I was terrified,” she recalled, alleging that he also tried to touch her inappropriately and invited her to travel with him to Mathura.

Fearing for her safety, she fled the hostel overnight, abandoning her belongings. The complainant added that his followers later appeared at her home with her personal details until her father intervened.

Police records indicate that Chaitanyananda had faced molestation complaints as early as 2009, as well as in 2016, allegedly evading legal consequences through his influence.

In the present case, 17 women came forward in early August with similar accusations. Initially thought to be in London, investigators later traced him to Agra. He briefly sought anticipatory bail from the Delhi High Court before withdrawing his plea.

Delhi Police have since expanded their search operations across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan, and have issued a Lookout Circular to prevent him from leaving the country. Despite these efforts, Chaitanyananda remains untraceable.