Chaitanyananda Saraswati Arrested in Agra, Faces Multiple Molestation and Financial Charges

Chaitanyananda Saraswati, former chairman of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research (SIIM) in Vasant Kunj, was arrested in Agra late Saturday after months on the run, police said. He is being brought to Delhi.

Saraswati had been absconding since August following multiple FIRs accusing him of mass molestation of female students and financial irregularities involving a trust worth ₹122 crore. Authorities said he had been constantly changing his appearance and hideouts, prompting deployment of more than five police teams to trace him.

DCP (Southwest) Amit Goel said investigators had analyzed CCTV footage, conducted multiple raids at SIIM and Saraswati’s known addresses, and collected NVRs and hard disks for forensic examination. Statements of 16 victims were recorded before a magistrate at Patiala House Court.

Earlier, police froze ₹8 crore across 18 bank accounts and 28 fixed deposits linked to Saraswati and booked him for using nine fake diplomatic number plates with “UN” markings.

According to FIRs, the 62-year-old allegedly forced female students, including those on Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scholarships, to visit his quarters late at night and sent them inappropriate messages. Investigators recorded statements from 32 students, 17 of whom reported receiving obscene messages, abusive language, and unwanted physical contact. Some women faculty or administrators were also accused of pressuring students to comply with Saraswati’s demands.

Saraswati faces five cases in total, including a 2009 FIR in Defence Colony and a 2016 molestation case by a student in Vasant Kunj. Three additional FIRs were filed this year for molestation, cheating, and forgery.