A self-styled godman, when connected with a reputed spiritual organisation, is at the centre of an authorities examination after a number of female trainees of a management institute here implicated him of unwanted sexual advances.
The implicated– Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, previously called Swami Parthasarathy– has actually up until now averted arrest in spite of raids and security.
According to authorities, the implicated was a sanchalak (management committee member) at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management in southwest Delhi. Authorities likewise discovered in the institute’s basement a Volvo automobile with a created diplomatic number plate– 39 UN 1– utilized by Saraswati.
This is not the very first time he has actually dealt with such claims. Cops sources stated a case of scams and molestation was lodged versus him at the Defence Colony Police Station in 2009, while another molestation grievance was submitted at the Vasant Kunj Police Station in 2016.
In the current case, the problem was submitted on August 4 at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station.
Throughout the questions, the declarations of 32 female PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) trainees with EWS scholarships were tape-recorded. Of these, 17 declared that Saraswati utilized violent language, sent out profane messages, and made undesirable physical advances.
Authorities stated 3 ladies, acting as professor and administrators at the institute, presumably abetted the implicated by pressing trainees to abide by his needs.
“Their role is currently under investigation, and the full extent of their involvement will be determined once Saraswati is apprehended,” an officer stated.
A case was signed up under appropriate arrangements of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with 16 victims later on deposing before a magistrate.
Authorities have actually taken the Volvo automobile bearing the diplomatic number and lodged a 2nd FIR on August 25. The implicated has actually been averting arrest since, they stated.
The Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka’s Sringeri, with which Saraswati was previously associated, has actually provided a public declaration distancing itself from him.
“The public is hereby informed that Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, formerly known as Swami (Dr.) Parthasarathy has engaged in activities that are illegal, inappropriate, and detrimental to the interests of Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri (Peetham). As a result, the Peetham has severed all ties with him,” the declaration stated.
It even more stated that the peetham has actually likewise lodged problems with the pertinent authorities relating to the “illegal acts” dedicated by Saraswati.
The declaration included that the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has actually authorized the running of ‘Sri Sharadha Institute of Indian Management-Research’ in the name of the Peetham from Plot No. 7, Institutional Area, Phase II, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
“The Peetham administers the institution through a Governing Council, chaired by Dr Krishna Venkatesh, a respected educationist, along with other distinguished individuals. The Governing Council is actively taking steps to ensure the welfare of students and to prevent any disruption to the ongoing educational programmes,” it stated.
Cops stated efforts are underway to trace Saraswati, and numerous groups have actually been formed. Sources likewise stated that groups are keeping a stringent vigil at airports to avoid him from leaving the nation. Another source declared that his last place was traced in Agra, and groups are carrying out raids.
“Teams have been conducting raids at his known hideouts in Delhi and neighbouring states, including Agra, where his last location was found,” stated the source.
The private investigators stated declarations from trainees, professor, and personnel are being cross-verified, while digital proof, consisting of messages and call records, has actually been gathered as part of the probe.
“The allegations are serious, involving multiple victims, and we are pursuing the case with priority,” stated the policeman, including that the implicated, nevertheless, stays at big.
According to the authorities declaration, the case was signed up under areas 75( 2) (unwanted sexual advances), 79 (word, gesture or act meant to insult the modesty of a lady) and 351( 2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Vasant Kunj North Police Station.
Throughout the examination, CCTV video camera video footage was evaluated, and a number of raids were performed at numerous property addresses connected to the implicated.
Cops sources stated hard drives and Network Video Recorders (NVRs) gathered from the institute were sent out to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for evaluation.
Authorities sources exposed that while he was last traced to Agra, the implicated has actually been altering his places often to prevent capture. He is likewise preventing utilizing cellphones to avoid tracking.
Coming from Odisha, Saraswati had actually been residing in an ashram in Delhi for the last 12 years, where he acted as both a caretaker and an operator.
Sources in the examining group included that digital proof, consisting of chats and SMS records, has actually currently been protected. These will be important in proving the statements of the victims, they stated.
Cops likewise think that Saraswati kept strong connections throughout states, which likely assisted him stay out of reach regardless of duplicated raids.
