Delhi Ashram Scandal: Self-Styled Godman Accused of Harassment and Fraud

The Beginning of the Investigation

On July 31, the institute received a letter from a former student alleging that Chaitanyananda had been sexually harassing female students. The very next day, the institute was contacted by a Group Captain in the Directorate of Education, Indian Air Force, flagging similar complaints. Since many of the institute’s students come from Air Force families, the matter was taken up urgently.

Responding to these warnings, the management approached the police and filed a complaint. Over 300 pages of evidence were submitted, including testimonies and offensive messages allegedly sent by the accused. An FIR was registered, and the police began recording statements from students.

Allegations Against Chaitanyananda Saraswati

The accusations are both grave and disturbing. According to the FIR and student testimonies:

• Students from underprivileged families were allegedly forced to visit Chaitanyananda at night.

• He allegedly sent lewd and threatening messages, warning students that their academic records and degrees would be withheld if they did not comply.

• CCTV cameras were allegedly installed in the women’s hostel under the pretext of security, raising serious privacy concerns.

• Several students claimed they were forced to accompany him on foreign trips.

• The institute’s associate dean and two staff members were also named as co-accused for enabling his misconduct.

The FIR states that these actions created a “grave sense of fear” among students, many of whom now fear for their safety.

Financial and Legal Misconduct

Even before the sexual harassment case emerged, the institute had filed complaints against Chaitanyananda for fraud, forgery, cheating, and criminal breach of trust. This adds another dimension to the ongoing investigation, suggesting a pattern of abuse of both power and financial control.

Institute’s Response and Reforms

After the scandal surfaced, the institute revoked Chaitanyananda’s power of attorney and appointed a new 11-member governing council. On August 3, this council held virtual meetings with 30 women students, during which several new allegations were made public.

The management has promised cooperation with the investigation and initiated internal reforms to rebuild trust among students and their families.

Wider Repercussions

The fallout has extended beyond the institute. The Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri (Karnataka), with which Chaitanyananda was previously associated, issued a strong public statement distancing itself from him. The Peetham declared that his actions were illegal, inappropriate, and detrimental, severing all ties with him.

Meanwhile, the police have issued a lookout circular to prevent him from fleeing the country. As of now, the accused remains on the run.

Conclusion

The case of Chaitanyananda Saraswati exposes the dangers of unchecked authority and highlights the importance of vigilance within educational and spiritual institutions. With multiple allegations of sexual harassment, fraud, and abuse of trust, the ongoing investigation is likely to set a precedent for how such cases are handled in the future.

As the Delhi Police intensifies its search, the story continues to unfold, bringing both justice for the victims and lessons for the larger community.