In a deepening scandal that has gripped the capital, authorities have uncovered a trove of disturbing digital evidence from the mobile device of self-proclaimed spiritual leader Chaitanyananda Saraswati, who was recently remanded to five days of police custody over allegations of sexual misconduct involving multiple young women.
The 42-year-old, whose real name is Parthasarathy, was produced before a Delhi court on Sunday, where Magistrate Himanshu Kumar approved the police's request for extended interrogation. This move comes just days after his dramatic arrest in Agra, ending a 50-day manhunt that began following complaints from at least 17 female students at a prominent management institute he once directed. The accusations paint a picture of systemic exploitation, with victims alleging harassment, coercion, and misuse of his influential position to lure women under the guise of mentorship and spiritual guidance.
What has escalated the case into national headlines, however, is the emergence of purported WhatsApp conversations and covertly captured images recovered from Saraswati's phone during the ongoing investigation. Delhi Police sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the findings as "alarming," revealing a pattern of predatory behaviour that extended far beyond the institute's premises.
Among the most egregious exchanges, investigators claim to have discovered messages where Saraswati allegedly solicited a female associate to procure an intimate companion for a high-profile visitor from Dubai, referred to in the chats as a "sheikh" with royal ties. In one thread, dated several months prior to his arrest, he reportedly urged the intermediary to "arrange something special" for the guest, emphasising the need for discretion and framing it as a favour tied to his supposed international network. Other conversations include flirtatious overtures to students, laced with spiritual jargon to mask their intent, alongside requests for private meetings disguised as counselling sessions.
Compounding the digital trail, forensic analysis of the device yielded dozens of unauthorized photographs of women, many taken surreptitiously during events or classes at the institute. These images, police say, were stored in hidden folders and shared via encrypted apps, pointing to a deliberate effort to document and possibly leverage compromising material.
Saraswati's web of influence adds another layer of intrigue. During raids on his properties, officers recovered two passports, one under his alias and another in his birth name - along with documents boasting fabricated connections to global forums like BRICS and even the Prime Minister's Office. These claims, investigators believe, were tools to impress and intimidate, helping him evade scrutiny while amassing funds through dubious seminars and donations totalling over ₹20 crore, for which he faces a separate fraud probe.
The godman, who styled himself as a modern sage blending yoga, business acumen, and esoteric teachings, rose to prominence in Delhi's elite circles over the past decade. His institute, once hailed for empowering young professionals, now stands as a symbol of betrayal for the affected women, some of whom have come forward with emotional testimonies describing a culture of fear and manipulation.
In a tense courtroom appearance last week, Saraswati's counsel sought bail, arguing the charges were "politically motivated," but the plea was swiftly rejected amid mounting evidence. Police have since conducted scene recreations at the institute, parading Saraswati and his female aides through the very rooms where alleged incidents occurred, in a bid to corroborate victim statements.
During the probe, Chaitanyananda was also found to have allegedly secretly clicked photos of women and staff and spied on students through a CCTV monitoring app. In one of the screenshots of the purported chats that the self proclaimed God man has had with a woman - Chaitanyananda called a woman his “beloved baby doll daughter”. “Good evening, my most beloved baby daughter doll,” the purported message read.
