Self-Styled Godman Accused of Molesting 17 Students Arrested in Agra After Weeks on the Run
NEW DELHI, Sept 28: Self-styled godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati, who is allegedly wanted in a high-profile molestation case involving 17 women students of a private management institute in southwest Delhi, was arrested from Agra early Sunday morning, Delhi Police confirmed. The 62-year-old, who had been absconding since the case came to light, was traced through technical surveillance and local intelligence inputs. Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team from Delhi tracked his movements and apprehended him from a hideout on the outskirts of Agra without resistance.
According to investigators, Saraswati — a former chairman of the institute’s governing body — had allegedly been abusing his position of authority to sexually harass multiple students over a prolonged period. The FIR lodged against him details disturbing allegations, including that he summoned young female students to his private quarters late at night under various pretexts and sent them sexually inappropriate messages at odd hours. He also allegedly monitored their movements using his phone, exerting control and intimidation over those who resisted his advances.
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Delhi’s academic and spiritual circles, as Saraswati, who styled himself as a spiritual teacher and motivational mentor, had cultivated a significant following. His arrest follows weeks of sustained investigation and mounting pressure from women’s rights groups demanding swift action in the case. Police officials said that ₹8 crore linked to Saraswati, parked in multiple bank accounts and fixed deposits, has already been frozen as part of the ongoing probe, with investigators suspecting that the money could have been acquired through illegal means and misuse of institutional funds.
Senior police officers described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in a case that has raised serious questions about the safety of women students on campuses. “This is not just about one individual’s misconduct; it is about systemic accountability. The accused used his influence and power to prey on vulnerable students. His arrest is a crucial step toward justice,” a senior official said.
The investigation now shifts to building a watertight case against Saraswati. Police teams are gathering digital evidence, including phone records and text messages, as well as testimonies from the survivors, many of whom have come forward to record their statements under Section 164 CrPC before a magistrate. Officials said more charges could be added under provisions related to criminal intimidation and misuse of authority as the investigation progresses.
The case has reignited the debate over safeguards for women in educational institutions, with activists calling for stricter screening of individuals holding positions of power in private institutes and enhanced grievance redressal mechanisms for students. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has also sought a detailed report from the police, including the measures being taken to ensure the safety and mental well-being of the affected students.
Meanwhile, Saraswati has been brought to Delhi under heavy security and is expected to be produced before a local court for police remand. Authorities are also examining whether he may be involved in similar offences elsewhere, given his extensive network of followers and past travels across northern India.
What began as individual complaints of harassment has now evolved into a wider investigation that could expose a larger web of abuse and financial irregularities. As the legal process unfolds, survivors and women’s groups are urging authorities to ensure swift prosecution and exemplary punishment to send a strong message against the misuse of spiritual or institutional authority.
Saraswati’s arrest marks a turning point in a case that underscores both the vulnerability of young women in academic spaces and the urgent need for robust mechanisms to prevent exploitation by those in positions of trust.
