Who is Chaitanyananda Saraswati? The Self-Styled Godman Accused of Sexual Harassment

The case of Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Dr Parthasarathy, has once again brought attention to allegations of misconduct by self-styled godmen in India. The 62-year-old monk-turned-educator is accused of sexually harassing students at a Delhi-based management institute and is currently absconding, with a Lookout Circular (LOC) issued against him.


The Allegations Against Chaitanyananda Saraswati

On August 4, 2025, the administrator of Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management (Vasant Kunj, Delhi) filed a complaint against Chaitanyananda Saraswati. Following the complaint, police recorded the statements of 32 students, out of which 17 students accused him of:

  • Sending obscene WhatsApp messages.

  • Using abusive and derogatory language.

  • Making unwanted physical contact.

  • Threatening students with academic failure if they refused his advances.

Many of the victims were EWS quota students, allegedly targeted because of their vulnerable position. Some students also claimed they were lured with promises of foreign trips.

The FIR further reveals that Saraswati was not acting alone. His female colleagues and staff were allegedly involved, pressuring students into compliance with his demands.


Previous Cases and Criminal Record

This is not the first time Chaitanyananda Saraswati has faced legal trouble. Police records confirm that he is already involved in five cases, including:

  • Fraud and molestation (since 2009).

  • A molestation case filed in 2016.

  • Multiple complaints of sexual misconduct.

Despite these cases, he was never arrested earlier, raising serious questions about enforcement and accountability.


Current Investigation and Lookout Circular

After going underground in August 2025, the Delhi Police issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) to prevent him from fleeing the country. Authorities suspect that his last known locations include Agra and Uttarakhand, areas where he frequently travelled for religious discourses and public events.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, demanding strict action and accountability.


Who is Chaitanyananda Saraswati?

Beyond his controversial public image, Saraswati has projected himself as a spiritual scholar. According to his profiles on academic networks like ResearchGate:

  • He is described as a monk of the Sanatana Vedic Tradition, Arsha Vidya Order, Shankara Lineage.

  • He studied for over 12 years under Swami Dayananda Saraswati, learning the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita.

  • He has authored 28 books on spirituality, Vedanta, and Indian Knowledge Systems.

  • He has also been described as a professor and educator with influence in academic circles.

Despite these claims, the Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, which runs multiple institutions across nine states, has distanced itself from him after the allegations.


Additional FIR: Forgery and Fraud

The controversy deepened when police discovered a Volvo car with a forged diplomatic number plate on the college premises. Subsequent raids uncovered nine more forged number plates, leading to a second FIR on August 25, 2025, under charges of cheating and forgery.


Why This Case Matters

The case highlights critical issues in India’s education and religious landscape:

  1. Exploitation of vulnerable students, especially those under EWS quotas.

  2. Repeated accusations with no prior arrest, raising questions of systemic failure.

  3. The abuse of religious authority by self-styled godmen, who often enjoy immunity in society.

  4. The urgent need for stringent monitoring of educational institutions run by religious trusts.


Conclusion

The allegations against Chaitanyananda Saraswati represent more than a single case of misconduct—they shed light on the intersection of power, religion, and education in India. With multiple complaints, criminal records, and now fresh charges of harassment and forgery, his case has become a test for law enforcement and judicial action.

The coming weeks will determine whether the Delhi Police and judiciary can ensure accountability, or whether Saraswati, like many others before him, will slip through the cracks of the legal system.

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