Introduction: Who is Swami Chaitanyanand Saraswati?
Swami Chaitanyanand Saraswati (also known as Parthasarathy or Parth Sarthy) is a self-styled godman and former director of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research (SRISIIM) located in Vasant Kunj, southwest Delhi. Once portrayed as a revered spiritual leader within the Santana Vedic Tradition and affiliated with the Arsha Vidya Order, Chaitanyanand Saraswati reputation has collapsed following multiple arrests, sexual harassment allegations, and fraud charges totaling over ₹122 crore.
His name now dominates Indian news cycles, and understanding his background, crimes, and ongoing legal battles is essential for anyone seeking information on this controversial figure. This comprehensive guide explores who Chaitanyanand Saraswati is, the sexual harassment controversy, his criminal history, and the latest developments in November 2025.
Chaitanyanand Saraswati Arrested Again: Fake Number Plate Case (November 2025)
Latest News: Re-Arrested from Tihar Jail
In a shocking development on November 20, 2025, Chaitanyanand Saraswati was arrested again from inside Tihar Jail by Delhi Police. This time, he faces charges related to using fake number plates on his luxury vehicles. The godman, who is already imprisoned on sexual harassment and molestation charges, was handed over to Delhi Police investigators and booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to official reports, Chaitanyanand Saraswati, jailed in connection with alleged molestation matter, was arrested by Delhi Police on Wednesday in connection with an alleged fake number plate matter. He remains lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody.
The Fake Number Plate Scandal
Earlier investigations revealed that Chaitanyanand Saraswati allegedly possessed and used nine forged diplomatic number plates bearing the letters “UN” on his luxury vehicles, including:
- A Volvo car bearing the forged plate “39 UN 1” (verified as non-existent by the Ministry’s Transport Department)
- A BMW
- A Range Rover
The fake number plate was a calculated move to evade traffic authorities and law enforcement. When police traced the diplomatic plate number 39 UN 1 to the Transport Department at Sarai Kale Khan, New Delhi, authorities confirmed that no registration permission was issued for this diplomatic number, and no such number exists in ministry records.
Safety Concerns & Jail Status
On November 19, 2025, Tihar Jail authorities refuted claims made by Chaitanyanand Saraswati that his life was under threat inside the prison. The jail submission stated that he is being held in “safe and secure custody” with enhanced vigilance. However, the court directed Delhi Police to ensure his safety during transit between the jail and courtroom.
Jail authorities also confirmed that Chaitanyanand Saraswati has been allowed certain facilities, including:
- Permission to wear a saffron robe on jail premises
- Access to a restricted diet (without onion and garlic)
- Permitted to purchase personal items from the jail canteen
Background: Who Is Chaitanyanand Saraswati?
Spiritual Lineage & False Credentials
Chaitanyanand Saraswati positioned himself as a senior spiritual leader within the Santana Vedic Tradition and claimed affiliation with the Arsha Vidya Order, the same organization that produced renowned Vedic monk Swami Dayananda Saraswati. His credentials included:
- Former director of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research (SRISIIM), Delhi
- Chairman and managing director of the institute’s management diploma program
- Alleged spiritual guide and guru to hundreds of followers
- Author of books claiming spiritual authority and proximity to global leaders
However, investigations have revealed that his credentials were largely fabricated or exaggerated to maintain his image of influence and authority.
The Morphed Photos Scandal: Fake Pictures with World Leaders
One of the most shocking discoveries during police raids was the recovery of three forged and morphed photographs in Chaitanyanand Saraswati’s possession, showing him digitally manipulated into images with:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Former U.S. President Barack Obama
- Former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron
Investigators revealed these fabricated images were deliberately created to build a false image of influence and proximity to world leaders, enhancing his credibility among vulnerable followers and donors.
The Sexual Harassment Scandal: 17 Female Students Accuse Swami Chaitanyanand Saraswati
How the Scandal Broke
On August 5, 2025, the Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham (which operates the institute) received an official complaint from PA Murali, administrator of the Peetham, detailing allegations of sexual harassment against Chaitanyanand Saraswati. The complaint cited statements from a 21-year-old student and documented accusations from at least 32 other women who had reported repeated harassment by the monk.
The Victims: Targeting Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Scholarship Students
Chaitanyanand Saraswati deliberately targeted vulnerable women for exploitation. At least 17 female students, primarily enrolled in the Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) program under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scholarship category, accused him of:
- Using abusive language
- Sending obscene messages via phone and social media
- Making unwanted physical contact and sexual advances
- Pressuring students to comply with his sexual demands
- Threatening to fail them or reduce grades if they resisted
- Calling students to his room late at night for sexual harassment
Tactics of Sexual Exploitation
Investigators found that Chaitanyanand Saraswati employed sophisticated tactics to manipulate and exploit his victims:
1. Luring with False Promises:
- Promising lucrative job placements to selected female students
- Offering sponsored “foreign trips” as incentives for compliance
- Creating false expectations of career advancement
2. Using Position & Authority:
- Leveraging his role as chairman to intimidate students
- Threatening academic consequences (failing grades, credential damage)
- Abusing his power over scholarship status and course completion
3. Hidden Surveillance:
- Installing hidden cameras in the women’s hostel
- Recording students without consent
- Using surveillance footage for blackmail and coercion
4. Predatory Behavior in Vehicles:
- Inviting students for rides in his luxury cars (BMW, Range Rover, Volvo)
- Molesting them inside the vehicles during “private meetings”
- Using the isolated environment of luxury cars for sexual assault
5. Digital Harassment:
- Sending obscene messages and photos
- Threatening to publicly shame victims
- Using technology to maintain control and silence complaints
The Investigation & Recovery of Evidence
Delhi Police conducted multiple raids and recovered shocking material from Chaitanyanand Saraswati’s premises, including:
- Sex toys
- Five CDs containing pornographic content
- Morphed photographs (as mentioned above)
- Obscene photos with victim statements as evidence
- Visiting cards with forged credentials
- Multiple mobile devices with communications evidence
- Bank records showing suspicious transactions
Forensic examination of devices and CDs is ongoing, with investigators examining whether the material was used to blackmail or manipulate victims.
Criminal Charges Against Chaitanyanand Saraswati: Five FIRs & Counting
Overview of Criminal Cases
Chaitanyanand Saraswati currently faces five separate criminal cases registered across Delhi Police:
FIR #1 (2009) – Defence Colony:
- First recorded case against Chaitanyanand Saraswati
- Details limited but indicates historical pattern of misconduct
FIR #2 (2016) – Molestation Complaint, Vasant Kunj:
- Molestation complaint from a student
- Earlier case highlighting pattern of sexual harassment
FIR #3 (August 25, 2025) – Forged Diplomatic Number Plate:
- Discovery of Volvo with fake “UN” number plate (39 UN 1)
- Charges: Forgery, fraud, illegal use of diplomatic credentials
- Vehicles seized: BMW and Volvo
FIR #4 (September 23, 2025) – Mass Sexual Harassment & Molestation:
- Registered at Vasant Kunj North Police Station
- 17 victims from EWS scholarship program
- Charges: Sexual harassment, sexual abuse, criminal intimidation
- Evidence: Hidden cameras in women’s hostel, obscene communications
FIR #5 (October 2025) – Witness Intimidation:
- New charge: Threatening witnesses to give false evidence
- Registered after one complainant reported threats
- Invoked Section 232 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Charge: Witness Intimidation & Obstruction of Justice
Additional Criminal Charges
Charges Under Investigation:
- Trust fraud: ₹122 crore trust fund irregularities
- Cheating: False credentials and deception
- Financial irregularities: Suspicious transactions and asset accumulation
- Money laundering: Transfer of funds across multiple accounts and states
Financial Crimes: The ₹122 Crore Trust Fraud
The Sri Sharada Institute & Trust Mismanagement
Chaitanyanand Saraswati’s criminal enterprise extended beyond sexual harassment. Investigators uncovered a massive ₹122 crore trust fund scheme linked to the Sri Sharada Institute.
Asset Freezing & Bank Account Seizure
Authorities have taken extraordinary measures to contain his assets:
- Over ₹8 crore frozen across 18 bank accounts and 28 fixed deposits in his name
- Luxury vehicles seized: Volvo, BMW, Range Rover
- Properties under investigation across multiple states
- Cross-state connections identified in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal
Evidence of Fraud & Deception
Police investigations revealed:
- Two Passports with Different Information:
- Each bearing different fathers’ names
- Different places of birth listed
- Indicates identity fraud and deception
- Multiple Fake Credentials:
- Forged institutional affiliations
- False claims of Vedic ordination
- Fabricated international recognition
- Suspicious Financial Transactions:
- Complex web of accounts across states
- Movement of funds to avoid detection
- Hidden beneficiaries and shell accounts
Arrest & Evasion: How Delhi Police Finally Caught Chaitanyanand Saraswati
The 50-Day Manhunt
After the molestation complaint surfaced on August 5, 2025, Chaitanyanand Saraswati went into hiding on August 4. For nearly 50 days, he evaded capture through an elaborate network across multiple states.
Police tracked him across:
- Haryana
- Rajasthan
- Uttar Pradesh
- West Bengal
- Uttarakhand (hiding in Bageshwar and Almora)
Final Arrest: Caught at Agra Hotel
On September 28, 2025, a special investigation team finally apprehended Chaitanyanand Saraswati at a hotel in Agra. Upon arrest:
- He underwent medical examination at Safdarjung Hospital
- Police brought him to the institute for questioning
- He was transported back to Delhi for formal booking
- He was produced before the magistrate and sent to judicial custody
Background Checks: Criminal History Emerges
Post-arrest investigations revealed:
- Prior FIR from 2009 in Defence Colony (first documented case)
- Prior molestation complaint from 2016 in Vasant Kunj (second documented case)
- Pattern of repeat offenses spanning 16+ years
Bail Plea & Judicial Custody Status
Withdrawn Bail Plea (November 7, 2025)
On November 7, 2025, Chaitanyanand Saraswati withdrew his bail plea before the Patiala House Court. His counsel cited the need to wait for the Delhi Police chargesheet filing to analyze the full allegations against him. This move indicates:
- Weak legal position given the evidence
- Recognition of the gravity of charges
- Strategy shift toward judicial custody pending trial
Court’s Observations on Bail
The Patiala House Court has repeatedly denied bail, noting:
- Gravity of Offenses: The severity of charges has “increased multifold” due to the large number of victims
- Influential Position: Chaitanyanand Saraswati could use proxies to influence or intimidate witnesses
- Flight Risk: His 50-day evasion demonstrates willingness to flee
- Threat to Justice: Continuation in bail would compromise investigation integrity
Facility Allowances in Jail
Despite facing serious charges, Chaitanyanand Saraswati has been granted certain facilities:
- Permission to wear saffron robe (spiritual attire)
- Restricted diet without onion and garlic (Vedic practice accommodation)
- Access to medicines and reading glasses
- Books for personal study
- Safe custody with enhanced vigilance
Institutional Response: Sri Sharada Institute & Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham’s Actions
Institute Closure & Authority Withdrawal
Following the revelations, the Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham (the parent organization) took decisive action:
- Cut ties with Chaitanyanand Saraswati completely
- Revoked his Power of Attorney (originally granted in 2008)
- Seized control of the institute
- Initiated institutional cleanup and victim support
Victim Support Measures
The institute and authorities have:
- Recorded statements from 16 documented victims before magistrates
- Collected mobile phones from 5 victims (11 more pending collection)
- Seized obscene photos and related communications as evidence
- Coordinated with Delhi Police for ongoing investigation
- Provided institutional cooperation for prosecution
Chargesheet Filing
As of late November 2025, Delhi Police are in the final stages of compiling the chargesheet, with investigations ongoing on:
- Forensic examination of CDs and digital devices
- Financial transaction analysis
- Cross-state asset tracking
- Victim statement compilation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Chaitanyanand Saraswati
Q: Who is Chaitanyanand Saraswati?
A: Chaitanyanand Saraswati (also known as Parthasarathy) is a self-styled godman and former director of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research in Delhi. He is accused of sexual harassment, molestation of 17 female students, trust fraud involving ₹122 crore, and multiple criminal offenses.
Q: Why is Chaitanyanand Saraswati in jail?
A: He is imprisoned on multiple charges including sexual harassment and molestation of students, fraud, using fake diplomatic number plates, witness intimidation, and financial crimes. He was arrested in September 2025 and has been in judicial custody in Tihar Jail.
Q: What are the charges against Chaitanyanand Saraswati?
A: He faces five separate FIRs registered for: (1) past molestation (2009), (2) prior harassment complaint (2016), (3) forged diplomatic number plates, (4) mass sexual harassment of 17 students, and (5) witness intimidation.
Q: How many victims has Chaitanyanand Saraswati harassed?
A: At least 17 female students from the EWS scholarship program have formally accused him of sexual harassment. An additional 32 women have reported harassment to the college council. At least 16 victims have deposited formal statements before magistrates.
Q: What was the fake number plate scam?
A: Chaitanyanand Saraswati used nine forged diplomatic number plates bearing the letters “UN” on his luxury vehicles (Volvo, BMW, Range Rover) to evade traffic authorities and law enforcement. The fake plates included the non-existent number “39 UN 1.”
Q: What is his connection to Arsha Vidya and Santana Vedic Tradition?
A: Chaitanyanand Saraswati claimed affiliation with the Arsha Vidya Order and Santana Vedic Tradition, positioning himself as a spiritual leader within these traditions. However, investigations revealed his credentials were largely fabricated. The parent organization (Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham) has severed all ties with him.
Q: What was the ₹122 crore trust fund fraud?
A: Investigations revealed that Chaitanyanand Saraswati mismanaged or fraudulently handled a ₹122 crore trust fund linked to the Sri Sharada Institute. Over ₹8 crore has been frozen across his bank accounts, and he possessed two passports with different information.
Q: Has Chaitanyanand Saraswati been convicted?
A: As of November 2025, he remains in judicial custody awaiting trial. He has not yet been convicted. The chargesheet is being finalized by Delhi Police.
Q: Is Chaitanyanand Saraswati still in jail?
A: Yes, as of November 2025, he is in judicial custody in Tihar Jail. On November 20, 2025, he was re-arrested from within the jail for the fake number plate case, though he remains in the same facility.
Q: What happened in November 2025 regarding Chaitanyanand Saraswati?
A: On November 20, 2025, while already imprisoned on molestation charges, Chaitanyanand Saraswati was arrested again by Delhi Police for using fake diplomatic number plates. Tihar Jail authorities confirmed on November 19 that he is in “safe and secure custody.”
Conclusion: The Rise and Fall of a Fake Godman
The case of Chaitanyanand Saraswati serves as a stark reminder of how spiritual authority can be weaponized to exploit vulnerable people. What began as a carefully constructed façade of spiritual wisdom—complete with forged photos alongside world leaders, claims of Vedic expertise, and institutional authority—collapsed into a criminal enterprise targeting young women and mismanaging massive trust funds.
His arrests in September 2025 and subsequent re-arrest in November 2025 have exposed a 16-year pattern of sexual harassment, fraud, and institutional abuse. The 17 female victims, mostly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, exemplify how predators deliberately target the vulnerable.
As investigations continue and the chargesheet nears completion, the case remains a focal point in discussions about institutional oversight, the exploitation of spiritual authority, and the need for stronger safeguards against abuse in educational and spiritual organizations.
