Delhi Ashram Director Booked for Sexual Harassment of Women Students

• 17 women accuse Swami Chaitanyananda of lewd messages, abuse and forced contact
• Police register sexual harassment case; accused absconding, last traced near Agra
• Volvo car with fake UN diplomatic plate seized from institute basement
• Ashram removes him, Sringeri Peetha cuts all ties calling actions “illegal and inappropriate”

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 24th Sept: The director of a prominent Delhi ashram, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati alias Partha Sarathy, has been booked for sexually harassing women students at the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management in Vasant Kunj.

According to police, 17 of the 32 students who gave statements accused the ashram head of using abusive language, sending obscene messages and making unwanted physical advances. Victims alleged that women faculty and staff pressured them to comply and that hostel wardens facilitated access to the accused.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West) Amit Goyal said a case has been registered for sexual harassment and related offences. CCTV footage has been examined and raids carried out at the institute and the accused’s residence, but he remains on the run, reportedly last sighted near Agra.

Investigators also seized a Volvo car bearing a forged diplomatic number plate (39 UN 1) from the ashram basement.

The Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetha, Sringeri, which oversees the Delhi unit, condemned the “illegal and inappropriate” conduct and announced that Swami Chaitanyananda has been expelled and all ties severed. The Delhi centre hosts two batches of over 35 management diploma students, many from the economically weaker sections category.