Delhi police have arrested 52-year-old self-proclaimed godman and director of the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management, Chaitanyananda Saraswati, for the alleged sexual exploitation of young female students at his ashram in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj. His arrest has revealed his modus operandi of luring students with the assistance of a few women staff members. In a further twist, Chaitanyananda’s WhatsApp messages have disclosed conversations in which he mentioned an anonymous ‘Sheikh.’ According to an NDTV report, in a conversation with an alleged student, the 62-year-old wrote:
Delhi Baba: “One Dubai Sheikh wants to [have] a sex partner, do you have any nice friend?”
Victim: “Koi nahi hai” (There is no one).
Delhi Baba: “How it’s possible?”
Victim: “I don’t know.”
Delhi Baba: “Your any classmate? Junior?”
In some other chats, Chaitanyananda keeps addressing a victim in childish and patronising names like “Sweetie Baby Daughter Doll.” He keeps sending her obsessive messages throughout the day and even late at night. In one conversation, he asks a student, “You’ll not sleep with me?”
The Arrest In Agra
Chaitanyananda, accused of harassing at least 17 women students, was arrested on Sunday at about 3:30 am. Police caught him at a hotel in Agra’s Taj Ganj area. He had been hiding for nearly two months, moving between Vrindavan, Mathura, and Agra. To avoid being caught, he stayed in small hotels and used taxis. On September 27, he checked into the Agra hotel under the false name “Partha Sarathi” and stayed in Room 101. Hotel staff said he did not leave his room until the police arrested him.
He is now in five days of police custody and will likely be confronted with three female aides from the institute who allegedly helped him threaten students and delete incriminating messages.
During the arrest, police seized an iPad and three mobile phones, one of which had remote access to the institute’s CCTV cameras and hostel premises.
