'Staff pressured us to meet his demands': Girls allege sexual taunts, vulgar texts, unwanted touch; Delhi institute director Swami Chaitanyananda untraceable

NEW DELHI: The director of a private institution in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, has been booked after multiple female students accused him of sexual harassment, police said.

Investigators said 32 students were interviewed during the enquiry, and 17 came forward with specific allegations.

The complaints included:

• Obscene WhatsApp and SMS messages allegedly sent by the accused.
• Unwelcome and inappropriate physical contact reported by several students.
• Pressure from faculty and administrative staff to comply with the accused’s demands.
• Silencing tactics, where victims said staff members either ignored their complaints or pressed them to remain quiet.

Based on the statements, police registered a case under sections 75(2), 79, and 351(2) of the BNS at Vasant Kunj North Police Station. Raids were carried out at the institute and other locations linked to the accused, with digital devices seized for forensic analysis.

Statements of 16 victims were also recorded before a judicial magistrate at Patiala House Courts.

Police confirmed that the accused remains absconding despite efforts to trace him.

Meanwhile, Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, issued a statement formally severing ties with Chaitanyananda. It said the institution is now under the charge of a Governing Council to safeguard students and ensure continuity of academic programmes.