Letter from Air Force, sleazy chats and…: How Delhi’s ‘Molester Baba’ Chaitanyananda abused women for years

Delhi Police are actively searching for 62-year-old Chaitanyananda Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing students at a management institute in Delhi. Investigations show that complaints from an alumna and the Air Force played a key role in exposing the self-styled godman. According to the FIR, the first alert came from a former student of the Sri Sharada Institute of India(BHARAT)n Management-Research in Vasant Kunj. In her letter to the institute’s management, she claimed that Chaitanyananda (62), also known as Parthasarathy, had sexually harassed students during his tenure as the institute’s director. The management received this letter on July 31.

The very next day, the institute got an email from a Group Captain in the Air Force’s Directorate of Education, highlighting complaints from multiple students. These students said that Chaitanyananda had threatened them and sent offensive messages. The Air Force got involved because many students at the institute come from Air Force families, according to a report in NDTV.

After receiving both complaints, the institute approached the police and filed a formal complaint. The management also submitted 300 pages of evidence against him. Following this, the police recorded statements from students and registered an FIR.

In response, the institute revoked Chaitanyananda’s power of attorney and formed a new governing council of 11 members to take charge of the management.

Shocking allegations and Baba’s Sleazy Chats

On August 3, the new governing council of the Sri Sharada Institute of India(BHARAT)n Management-Research held a virtual meeting with 30 female students, during which serious allegations against Chaitanyananda Saraswati came to light.

The students claimed that those from underprivileged families were forced to visit the self-styled godman at night. He allegedly sent lewd messages and threatened to withhold their academic certificates and degrees if they did not respond to his advances.

They also alleged that cameras were installed in the girls’ hostel under the guise of security and that they were forced to accompany him on foreign trips.

Some students accused the institute’s associate dean and other staff members of pressuring them to comply with Chaitanyananda’s demands. Three staff members have been named as co-accused in the FIR, which noted that students are living in a “grave sense of fear” and are scared for their lives.

WhatsApp messages recovered from the phones of 50 women have also exposed disturbing details of abuse that many students allegedly suffered over the past 16 years. The messages show that women were subjected to lewd texts and even forced physical contact, as per a report in NDTV.

In one message, Swami Chaitanyananda tried to lure a student by promising her wealth. In another, he threatened a student with poor grades, saying, “If you don’t obey me, I will fail you.”

These messages have become key evidence in the ongoing investigation against the self-styled godman.

The complaint against the accused was filed on August 4 by the college administrator, according to deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Amit Goel.

According to the FIR, the victims were “pressured” to give into the accused’s demands by not just him but also his “co-conspirators”, including female faculty and staff at the college.

Chaitanyananda is on the run

Chaitanyananda is currently on the run, and the police have issued a lookout circular to stop him from leaving the country.

Meanwhile, the Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham in Sringeri, Karnataka, which Chaitanyananda was associated with, has distanced itself from him.

A statement from the Peetham said: “Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, formerly known as Swami (Dr.) Parthasarathy, has engaged in illegal and inappropriate activities that harm the interests of the Peetham. All ties with him have been severed.”