In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples across India, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader and institute director stands accused of a series of predatory acts against young women under his professional guardianship. Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, better known by his birth name Partha Sarathy from Odisha, has been charged with sexually harassing multiple female students at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The allegations, detailed in a formal police complaint, paint a disturbing picture of abuse of power, with the accused allegedly using his position to lure and intimidate vulnerable scholars.
The case erupted into public view earlier this week when over 15 women, many from economically weaker sections benefiting from EWS scholarships, came forward with harrowing accounts. According to the FIR registered at the Vasant Vihar police station, the swami, who serves as both director and a key member of the institute's management committee - reportedly lured students with explicit WhatsApp messages promising lavish incentives in exchange for compliance. One particularly brazen exchange, as cited in the complaint, involved the accused inviting a student to his private quarters with assurances of "foreign trips where you won't have to pay a dime," laced with overt sexual undertones. These overtures were not isolated; victims described a pattern of lewd language, unsolicited physical advances, and even coercion from faculty members who allegedly urged them to "cooperate" to secure their academic futures.
The National Commission for Women (NCW), taking suo-motu cognisance of the matter on Wednesday, demanded a comprehensive status report from Delhi Police within three days, emphasising the gravity of the offences against marginalised students. "This is not just a breach of trust but a systemic failure in safeguarding young women in educational spaces," an NCW spokesperson remarked.
Partha Sarathy, who reinvented himself as the enigmatic Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, has evaded authorities for over a month, prompting an intensifying manhunt. Police raids on his ashram-like residence uncovered additional irregularities, including a luxury vehicle bearing forged diplomatic number plates - a discovery that has broadened the probe into potential forgery charges. Born in Odisha, the 50-something figure rose to prominence by blending spiritual discourses with business education, attracting a following among aspiring managers seeking holistic guidance. Yet, behind the saffron robes and serene facade, sources close to the investigation reveal a man who allegedly exploited his dual roles to groom targets, often under the guise of mentorship.
As the institute grapples with the fallout, with classes disrupted and enrolment inquiries halted, the victims' courage has ignited calls for stricter oversight in private educational bodies. "We trusted him as a guide, but he turned our dreams into nightmares," one anonymous complainant shared. Delhi Police, led by a dedicated women's cell team, has recorded statements from at least 17 witnesses, vowing stringent investigation. "His spiritual title offers no shield from the law," a senior officer asserted.
This scandal arrives amid a national reckoning with institutional sexual misconduct, echoing high-profile cases that exposed predators in academia and religion. For the affected students, many first-generation learners from modest backgrounds, the trauma extends beyond personal violation to shattered aspirations. As search teams scour possible hideouts in Odisha and neighbouring states. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities appealing for tips from the public.
