Chaitanyanand Saraswati’s bail plea will be heard today after the original judge recused himself. Accused of sexually harassing 17 students at a private Delhi institute, his case has sparked widespread outrage and intense media attention.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The high-profile case against Chaitanyanand Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing 17 female students at a private Delhi institute, has taken a new turn in the legal proceedings. The judge originally scheduled to hear Saraswati’s bail application has recused himself, prompting the matter to be listed before the District Judge of Patiala House Court at 12 PM today.
The Allegations Against Saraswati
Saraswati is currently in judicial custody following police interrogation. He stands accused of multiple acts of sexual harassment, including:
- Secretly photographing female students and staff members
- Engaging in lewd chats online
- Spying on students via a CCTV monitoring application
Investigators have alleged a clear pattern of predatory behavior. Police reports indicate that chats recovered from Saraswati’s devices, just days before his arrest, involved him soliciting women and making online payments in exchange for sexual favors.
Authorities allege that Saraswati lured women under the pretense of employment opportunities, including positions as flight attendants or roles within his institute. His office, reportedly designed to resemble a luxury suite, was used as a space to offer expensive gifts, including jewelry, while requesting photographs and videos from women performing yoga.
Additionally, police have found that a CCTV monitoring application installed on his phone allowed him to track female students across the campus and hostels. During his time on the run, Saraswati allegedly used London-based phone numbers to evade detection, before being traced through his IP address and arrested in Agra.
Involvement of Associates
Investigations further suggest that three female aides, including the institute’s dean and two wardens, allegedly coerced victims into deleting inappropriate messages and obstructed investigations. Saraswati is also accused of honey-trapping activities, with reports stating that he instructed a woman to send obscene photos with a man in exchange for money during a trip to Almora.
Attempted Misleading of Investigators
Police allege that Saraswati repeatedly lied during questioning and attempted to mislead authorities by invoking the names of influential figures, including the Chief Justice of India, and falsely claiming connections with the Prime Minister’s Office.
The matter will be listed before the District Judge at Patiala House Court today at noon, where the court will hear the bail application submitted by Saraswati.
