NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have arrested self-styled ‘godman’ Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing 17 ladies college students and working an internet of monetary fraud. He was traced to Agra after weeks on the run. Police allege the 62-year-old former chairman of a Delhi administration institute exploited college students from economically weaker sections (EWS) by confiscating their cell phones and tutorial certificates, leaving them unable to complain. “He marked college students first and requested them to deposit their telephones so they might ‘concentrate on research’,” a buddy of one of many victims advised PTI. “This created a way of concern, as each pupil’s profession was locked there.”
Bail plea rejected
On Friday, a Delhi courtroom dismissed Saraswati’s anticipatory bail plea in a case of dishonest, forgery and conspiracy. Extra Classes Choose Hardeep Kaur mentioned custodial interrogation was essential to determine the “total chain of fraud” and famous that the accused was not traceable. Courtroom paperwork describe how Saraswati allegedly created a fraudulent belief to divert funds and properties belonging to Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Administration Analysis and a Sringeri-based non secular physique.
Monetary irregularities
Investigators mentioned Saraswati opened a number of financial institution accounts utilizing totally different names and withdrew over ₹50 lakh after an FIR was filed in opposition to him in August. Police are inspecting the path of transactions linked to the alleged misappropriation of funds.
Sample of intimidation
Complainants advised police that Saraswati and his aides threatened college students with expulsion or failure in the event that they resisted his advances. “Ladies have been regularly warned that their careers could be destroyed in the event that they opposed him,” one sufferer’s buddy alleged. The primary grievance was lodged in March by a pupil underneath the EWS quota, who mentioned she was requested to pay a further Rs 60,000 or work on the institute with out wage. Later, an Indian Air Power officer reported that a number of ladies disclosed incidents of harassment throughout a digital assembly. Police say additional victims at the moment are coming ahead because the investigation expands.