The director of a reputed ashram in Delhi’s upscale Vasant Kunj area, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Partha Sarathy, has been accused of sexually harassing over a dozen women students, police said. The allegations involve students pursuing post-graduate management diploma courses at the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management, particularly those under scholarship in the economically weaker sections (EWS) category.
According to the police, at least 17 female students out of 32 who recorded statements have alleged that Swami Chaitanyananda used abusive language, sent lewd messages, and engaged in forced physical contact. Several women faculty and administrative staff reportedly pressured students to comply with the accused’s demands. Some students also claimed that certain wardens working at the ashram introduced them to the Swami.
Victims further alleged that the accused lured them with promises of free foreign trips, as revealed through explicit chat messages. Based on these statements, the South-West Delhi Police have registered a case against Swami Chaitanyananda for sexual harassment and related offences, said Amit Goyal, Deputy Commissioner of Police.
During the investigation, police analysed CCTV footage and conducted raids at both the ashram and the accused’s residence. A Volvo car belonging to the Swami was found in the institute’s basement, which was later discovered to have forged diplomatic number plates (39 UN 1). The car has been seized, but the accused remains at large, last reported near Agra, with multiple police teams actively searching for him.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognisance of the case. Following the allegations, the ashram administration removed Swami Chaitanyananda from his post and expelled him. The Delhi facility is a branch of the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetha, Sringeri, which has condemned the Swami’s actions as illegal and inappropriate, stating that it has severed all ties with him.
