Police say some faculty and hostel wardens of a Delhi Ashram colluded with the accused, pressuring students to comply with his demands. Investigators seized a Volvo car bearing forged UN diplomatic plates from the institute basement during raids.
BY PC Bureau
September 24 — The director of a prominent Delhi ashram and management institute has been accused of sexually harassing over a dozen female students, triggering a police investigation that has already uncovered evidence of intimidation, abuse of power, and even use of forged documents.
Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Parth Sarathy, headed the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management (SIIM) in Vasant Kunj, which runs diploma courses in business and management. A self-styled spiritual leader who blended teachings of Vedanta with modern management practices, Chaitanyananda enjoyed a position of influence within the institute, particularly over students from economically weaker sections (EWS) enrolled on scholarships.
Allegations Surface
According to police, 17 female students have come forward with serious allegations. They accuse the swami of using abusive language, sending lewd text messages, and even forcing physical contact. In their statements, the women alleged that some faculty members and administrative staff acted in collusion, pressuring them to comply with the swami’s demands.
Hostel wardens at the ashram allegedly played a role in introducing students to the accused. “He misused his authority and the vulnerable position of students who were dependent on scholarships,” said a police officer familiar with the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West), Amit Goyal, confirmed that a case of sexual harassment and other charges has been registered.
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Police Probe and Manhunt
Investigators have reviewed CCTV footage and conducted raids at both the institute and the swami’s residence. However, Chaitanyananda remains at large. Sources indicate he was last tracked near Agra, and multiple teams have been dispatched to apprehend him.
The probe has also revealed a disturbing detail: a Volvo luxury car found in the institute’s basement bore a forged diplomatic number plate (39 UN 1). Police have seized the vehicle and launched a separate investigation into how the swami obtained and used the false plates.
In the wake of the allegations, the ashram administration removed Chaitanyananda from his post and announced his expulsion from the institution. Officials stated they were cooperating with police but declined to comment further on the specifics of the case.
Who is Swami Chaitanyananda?
Born Parth Sarathy, Chaitanyananda rose through spiritual circles in the late 1990s, presenting himself as a reformist guru who combined Indian philosophy with corporate leadership models. By the mid-2000s, he had become associated with the Sri Sharda group of institutions and gained recognition in academic and religious networks in Delhi.
Known for conducting workshops on “Vedantic leadership” and “spiritual management,” he cultivated a reputation as a scholar-saint. However, insiders now allege that beneath the veneer of discipline and asceticism lay a pattern of predatory behavior that had long gone unchecked.
The case adds to the growing list of Indian spiritual leaders accused of sexual abuse, raising fresh questions about accountability in religious and educational institutions run by self-styled godmen. Critics say such figures often exploit students, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, by using their social and financial dependence as leverage.
Police say they are determined to pursue the case to its conclusion. “We are treating this with utmost seriousness. The accused will be brought to justice,” said DCP Goyal.
