A Delhi court has denied the anticipatory bail application of Swami Chaitanyanand Saraswati, who is under investigation for alleged financial misconduct. The Patiala House Court issued its ruling on Friday, emphasizing that the gravity of the charges warrants police custody for effective questioning during this stage of the investigation. This decision followed the court’s earlier deliberation on the self-proclaimed spiritual leader’s pre-arrest bail plea related to accusations of fraud, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. Saraswati faces multiple charges, including cheating through impersonation, inducing individuals to relinquish property or agree to its retention dishonestly, creating forged documents or electronic records, using fraudulent documents as if they were legitimate, and participating in a criminal conspiracy.
Investigations by the Delhi Police reveal that Saraswati allegedly took unauthorized control of the institute by unlawfully subletting properties belonging to Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, which manages the institution, to private firms for his personal financial gain. This purported scheme is at the heart of the financial irregularities case against him. In addition to the financial accusations, he is also facing a separate sexual harassment case that has attracted considerable public scrutiny. Seventeen female students from a private management institute in Delhi have accused him of harassment and molestation. These grave allegations have led law enforcement to initiate a widespread manhunt as Saraswati remains elusive.
The sexual harassment investigation was prompted by a complaint filed at Vasant Kunj North Police Station in the capital. During their inquiry, police recorded testimonies from thirty-two female students, with seventeen claiming inappropriate conduct, including abusive language, obscene WhatsApp messages, and unwanted physical contact from the accused. The victims have also alleged that female faculty and administrators facilitated the accused and pressured them to comply with his demands. The educational institution involved is affiliated with Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, and offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Management through the Economically Weaker Section scholarship program. This scandal has notably unsettled Delhi’s educational community, given the vulnerable status of the students.
The Delhi Police have confirmed their commitment to capturing Chaitanyanand Saraswati, who continues to avoid arrest in the sexual harassment case. The two legal challenges confronting the self-styled godman pose serious criminal allegations that could lead to substantial legal repercussions if established in court. The Vasant Kunj molestation case has particularly garnered broad public attention and concern.