Delhi baba accused of molestation, fake embassy plates
Victims alleged that women faculty and administrative staff pressured students to comply with the accused’s inappropriate demands.
New Delhi Ashram Director Accused of Sexual Harassment; Students Speak Out
New Delhi is shaken by allegations of sexual harassment involving a prominent ashram in the posh Vasant Kunj area. The director of the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Partha Sarathy, now faces serious charges following complaints from multiple female students. The allegations have sent shockwaves not only through the academic community but also among devotees and the local population who had considered the ashram a place of spiritual guidance and safety.
According to the police, Swami Chaitanyananda allegedly targeted students pursuing post-graduate management diploma courses offered with scholarships to economically weaker sections (EWS). What should have been a safe and supportive environment for higher education turned into a setting where students claim they were subjected to harassment, intimidation, and inappropriate advances.
The victims’ accounts are harrowing. At least 17 out of 32 students who came forward alleged that the accused used abusive language, sent lewd text messages, and engaged in unwanted physical contact. “He would make us feel unsafe, and some of the faculty and administrative staff even pressured us to comply with his demands,” one student said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Another added that wardens working at the ashram had sometimes introduced students directly to the accused, placing them in vulnerable positions without any guidance or protection.
These revelations depict a disturbing culture of coercion, where those entrusted with care and guidance allegedly became complicit. Victims said that women faculty and administrative personnel, instead of safeguarding students, sometimes acted as intermediaries, reinforcing the accused’s control. The stories paint a grim picture of systemic failure within an institution that should have provided support and safety.
The South-West District police have acted on the statements, filing a case for sexual harassment and other related charges against Swami Chaitanyananda. Amit Goyal, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for the South-West District, confirmed that investigations are ongoing, emphasizing that the complaints were taken seriously and that law enforcement is committed to ensuring justice for the victims.
The ashram administration moved swiftly after the allegations became public, removing Swami Chaitanyananda from his post and expelling him from the institution. The Delhi facility is a branch of the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetha, based in Sringeri, South India—a spiritual institution known for its religious teachings and community service. The Peetha issued a formal statement condemning the accused’s actions, calling them “illegal, inappropriate, and against the interests of the Peetha.” They also confirmed that all ties with Swami Chaitanyananda had been severed.
For many students and parents, the news has been deeply unsettling. Scholarships intended to support vulnerable and talented students were overshadowed by fear, harassment, and manipulation. “We trusted the ashram and the institution to provide guidance and education in a safe space,” said one parent. “It is horrifying to hear that our children were subjected to abuse while seeking knowledge and opportunity.”
The incident also raises broader questions about accountability and safeguarding within educational and spiritual institutions. Experts stress that measures to prevent harassment, clear reporting channels, and robust institutional oversight are essential, particularly when students from marginalized backgrounds are involved. These young women, many of whom were pursuing higher education with scholarships, now face not only trauma but also the challenge of navigating the legal and social repercussions of speaking out.
Amidst this turmoil, the courage of the students who came forward cannot be overlooked. By reporting the misconduct, they have taken a significant step toward exposing wrongdoing and ensuring that similar incidents do not happen to future students. Their voices highlight the importance of vigilance, support systems, and transparency within institutions, whether spiritual, educational, or administrative.
As investigations continue, the hope is that justice will be served, and that the victims will receive the protection, acknowledgment, and support they deserve. The ashram, once seen as a sanctuary for learning and spiritual growth, now faces the difficult task of rebuilding trust and ensuring the safety of all who come under its care.
The story serves as a reminder that institutions, no matter how revered, must prioritize accountability, ethics, and the well-being of those they serve. And for the students of the Sri Sharda Institute, the journey toward healing and justice is only beginning.