Self-Styled Godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati Arrested After 50 Days on the Run for Sexual Harassment Allegations

Agra: Self-styled godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing at least 17 women at a management institute in Delhi, was arrested early Sunday at a hotel in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, after evading authorities for 50 days, NDTV reported citing police sources.

During his period on the run, the 62-year-old reportedly stayed in 15 different hotels, mostly low-cost accommodations without CCTV cameras, in an effort to avoid capture. Police believe his aides helped him select these hotels, and investigations into his network and associates are ongoing.

Chaitanyananda has been uncooperative in police custody, providing evasive responses during questioning. He claimed to be “feeling anxious” and insisted the allegations were baseless. He also stated he had forgotten the passwords to his mobile phones and other devices. Three phones and an iPad seized from him have been sent to a forensic lab for analysis.

Authorities suspect Chaitanyananda has been exploiting women for at least 16 years, citing two previous molestation cases in 2009 and 2016, where he reportedly escaped legal consequences. The latest allegations primarily involve women from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) attending Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management in Vasant Kunj, Delhi.

A complaint was filed on August 4 at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station, prompting police to record statements from 32 female PGDM students under the EWS scholarship. Out of these, 17 students alleged that Saraswati had used abusive language, sent obscene messages, and made unwanted physical advances.

Police continue to probe the case, examining the evidence collected from the suspect and seeking to identify any accomplices who may have aided him during his time on the run.