By Adityan, Editor, Soch Se News
In the upscale Delhi neighborhood of Vasant Kunj, behind the respectable facade of an AICTE-approved management institute, a horrifying betrayal was unfolding. For years, female students, entrusted to the care of a self-styled godman, were allegedly subjected to sexual harassment, threats, and manipulation. When the news broke that Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, the director of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, was booked for harassing over a dozen students, the initial shock was immense. But as the details have emerged, a far more disturbing picture has come into focus.
From my perspective as the editor of Soch Se, this is not just a story about one rogue godman. It’s a chilling exposé on how religious authority, fake spirituality, and educational institutions can intersect to exploit the most vulnerable among us. The most shocking detail? The victims were primarily EWS (Economically Weaker Section) scholarship students, allegedly targeted precisely because their precarious situation made them least likely to raise their voice.
This scandal forces us to ask some uncomfortable questions. How did a man with a history of similar allegations continue to operate within our educational system for over 16 years? And what does this say about the safety of our students, especially in Delhi NCR, inside the very classrooms that are meant to empower them? Let’s delve into the layers of this systemic failure in the Delhi godman sexual harassment case.
The Allegations: A Pattern of Predation and Fear
The official complaint, filed on August 4th at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station, paints a grim picture. Police recorded the statements of 32 female students. Of those, 17 came forward with specific allegations against Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Parth Sarthy. Their testimonies describe a pattern of abuse that includes:
- Abusive language and unwanted physical contact.
- Obscene and sleazy WhatsApp and SMS messages.
- Threats of failing them in their courses if they did not comply.
- Lures of wealth and foreign trips in exchange for “obedience.”
What makes this case even more horrifying is the alleged complicity of others within the institution. The victims claimed that some female faculty members and wardens abetted the accused, pressuring them to comply with his demands. From my personal analysis, this isn’t just a case of sexual harassment—it’s a textbook case of predatory grooming backed by institutional silence. This wasn’t a secret; it was an open secret, protected by a wall of fear and intimidation.
A System Asleep at the Wheel: 16 Years of Impunity
One of the most damning aspects of this scandal is that it was not the first time. During my research, I found that this was not an isolated incident but the culmination of a long and disturbing history. This is the core of the systemic flaw we must confront.
My research into the pattern of abuse shows that the accused had at least two prior molestation cases filed against him, in 2009 and 2016, yet no strict or conclusive action was ever taken. The 2016 case was filed by a young woman from the very same Vasant Kunj ashram. The fact that he was allowed to continue in a position of power over young women after such serious allegations suggests that loopholes in our legal and educational systems allowed him to operate with impunity for over a decade. He was reportedly emboldened by escaping consequences, creating a cycle of abuse that only grew more audacious over time.
This raises a critical question about regulatory oversight. From my perspective, the fact that an AICTE-approved institute can still harbour such individuals shows a dangerous crack in our educational oversight system. Who is ultimately responsible for the safety of students when private institutions are run under the banner of powerful religious trusts? It’s a question that demands an answer from our policymakers. For a deeper understanding of our journalistic standards, you can review our editorial policy.
Exploiting the Vulnerable: The EWS Scholarship Angle
Why were these specific students targeted? The investigation has revealed a chilling and calculated methodology. The majority of the complainants were pursuing their Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) on EWS scholarships.
This is the broader message we cannot ignore: the targeting of EWS scholarship students shows how predators exploit economic vulnerability. These young women, often the first in their families to pursue higher education, are in a uniquely vulnerable position. They are away from home, reliant on the scholarship for their future, and may feel they lack the social or financial capital to fight back against a powerful figure.
The accused allegedly knew this and leveraged their fear. The threat to “fail you” is not just about a bad grade; it’s a threat to destroy their one chance at a better life. This is economic blackmail woven into sexual predation, and it must spark a larger national conversation about safeguarding marginalized students in our educational institutions.
The Local Impact: A Crisis of Trust in Delhi NCR
The Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management is located in Vasant Kunj, a posh South Delhi locality. For thousands of families across the Delhi NCR region, this scandal has shattered the veneer of prestige that often surrounds private management institutes.
Delhi: Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati—MBA, PhD, Vedanta scholar & disciple of Swami Dayananda—accused of harassing 15+ students at Sri Sharda Institute. Police found a fake diplomatic plate on his Volvo; manhunt near Agra.
Sringeri Peetham cut ties. pic.twitter.com/L5aHMl04CG
— HINT Media (@9415st) September 24, 2025
From my analysis of the local impact, parents and students in Delhi NCR—especially those from weaker sections—will now rightfully question whether prestigious-looking private institutes are safe at all. When you send your child to an institute, you are placing your trust not just in its academic credentials, but in its ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment. This incident is a brutal violation of that trust. It erodes confidence in the entire private education sector and forces families to ask a terrifying question: “Is my child safe?” If you have any questions about this analysis, please feel free to contact us.
The Investigation and the Absconding Accused
Since the case was registered, the Delhi Police have conducted multiple raids at the institute and other known hideouts of the accused. They have collected digital evidence, including messages and call records, and have even discovered a Volvo car with a forged diplomatic UN number plate used by Saraswati in the institute’s basement.
VIDEO | Delhi Police has booked a self-styled godman, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati alias Parth Sarthy, after several female students of a management institute accused him of sexual harassment. Despite raids and surveillance, the accused remains on the run.
Visuals show Swami… pic.twitter.com/LxahSF2CCv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 24, 2025
Despite these efforts, the accused remains absconding, with his last known location traced to Agra. The Sringeri Math, the prominent religious organization with which the institute is affiliated, has publicly severed all ties with him, calling his actions “illegal, inappropriate, and detrimental.” They have assured the public that the institute is now being administered by a new, respected Governing Council.
While these actions are necessary, they come too late for the students whose lives have been irrevocably impacted. We must, of course, provide a disclaimer that the accused is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Conclusion:
The Delhi godman sexual harassment case is a story of profound and systemic failure. It’s the failure of a justice system that allowed a man with a history of allegations to remain in a position of power. It’s the failure of an educational regulatory body to ensure the safety of students under its purview. And it’s the failure of an institution to protect its most vulnerable members from a predator in its midst.
My final verdict is this: arresting Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati is only the first step. The real justice will come from systemic reform. We need a mandatory, transparent process for background checks on all individuals in positions of authority at educational institutions, regardless of their religious or spiritual affiliations. We need a robust and accessible grievance redressal system for students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, so they can report abuse without fear of reprisal.
This case must be a wake-up call. We cannot allow the sacred spaces of education to become hunting grounds for predators hiding behind a cloak of spirituality. The safety and dignity of our students are non-negotiable. To learn more about our mission, please visit our about us page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati?
Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Parth Sarthy, is a self-styled godman and the former director of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. He is currently accused of sexually harassing multiple female students and is absconding.
2. What action has the affiliated religious body taken?
The Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, has publicly severed all ties with the accused, condemned his alleged actions, and has stated that the institute is now managed by a new governing council to ensure the welfare of the students.
3. Why were EWS scholarship students specifically targeted?
Police and victims allege that the accused targeted students on Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scholarships because their financial and social vulnerability made them less likely to report the abuse, fearing they might lose their scholarship or face other repercussions.
