Delhi Court Sends ‘Godman’ Chaitanyananda Saraswati to 5-Day Police Custody in Sexual Assault Case

A Delhi court on Sunday remanded self-styled godman Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, 62, to five days of police custody in connection with a sexual assault case. The order came on a plea by Delhi Police, which had launched a nationwide hunt for him after multiple women accused him of molestation and harassment.

Saraswati, former chairman of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research in Vasant Kunj, had been absconding since August before his arrest. According to the prosecution, testimonies of several victims confirmed that he sought sexual favours, molested female students, and installed CCTV cameras, including in bathrooms, to monitor them. At least 16 women have come forward so far, with a five-page FIR also citing statements from a 21-year-old student and referring to 32 others with similar allegations.

The defence opposed police custody, arguing that Saraswati was being targeted and should instead be placed in judicial custody if there were concerns for the women’s safety.

The case gained national attention after an Indian Air Force group captain emailed the Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham—under whose aegis the institute functions—flagging complaints from students and alleging that Saraswati had sent them threatening and offensive messages.