Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a self-styled godman and former director of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research in Delhi, was arrested in Agra on Sunday after days on the run, police said.
The 62-year-old spiritual leader, also known as Parthasarathy, was taken into custody at around 3:30 a.m. from a hotel in Agra following a tip-off, according to officials. He is facing serious allegations of sexual harassment, financial fraud and misappropriation of funds.
More than 17 women students studying at the institute under the economic weaker section (EWS) scholarship accused Saraswati of abusive language, unwanted physical contact and sending obscene messages.
The students also alleged that he forced them to visit his quarters late at night and monitored their movements through his phone.
Following the complaints, the Sri Sringeri Math administration removed Saraswati from his position as director. Delhi Police subsequently issued a Look-Out Notice to prevent him from leaving the country.
On Friday, a Delhi court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a financial irregularities case filed on the basis of a complaint by the Sri Sringeri Math administration.
Also Read : Anticipatory bail denied to Saraswati 'godman' in fraud case
Authorities told the court that after an FIR was lodged for misappropriation of funds, Saraswati withdrew about Rs 55 lakh from the Trust’s bank account and absconded with the money. Investigators also said he obtained a forged passport under a different name.
A preliminary audit conducted in December 2024 revealed large-scale fraud and diversion of properties and funds belonging to the Peetham (Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri).
Officials said Saraswati had fraudulently created another trust in 2010 under the name Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research Foundation Trust, while the AICTE-approved trust was the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research.
According to investigators, he misappropriated properties and funds worth around Rs 20 crore by diverting earnings into the account of the newly created trust.
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