Vasant Kunj molestation case: Sharada Peetham institute cuts all ties with accused manager; issues statement | Delhi News
NEW DELHI: Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, former manager of a private engineering institute in south west Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, has been booked on allegations of sexually harassing multiple female students and is currently absconding. In response, the institute has formally severed all ties with him.In a public statement, Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri said “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). “ The Peetham has also lodged complaints with the relevant authorities regarding illegal acts committed by Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati. It further informed the public that the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has approved 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.The complaint was first lodged on 4 August 2025 by PA Murli, Administrator of Sri Sringeri Math & Its Properties, following allegations of harassment at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management. The victims are reported to be students pursuing Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) courses under the EWS scholarship. Police recorded statements from 32 female students, of whom 17 alleged abusive language, obscene WhatsApp and SMS messages, and unwanted physical contact by the accused. Some students also claimed that faculty and administrative staff pressured them to comply with his demands. Based on the statements and further inquiry, a case under sections 75(2), 79, and 351(2) BNS was registered at Vasant Kunj North Police Station. CCTV footage was reviewed, and raids were conducted at the institute and other addresses associated with the accused, while hard disks and NVRs from the institute were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination. Statements of 16 victims have been recorded under section 183 BNSS before the Ld. JMFC, Patiala House Courts. During the investigation, authorities discovered a high-end Volvo car belonging to the accused, parked in the institute’s basement, and the car bore a forged diplomatic United Nations number plate “39 UN 1,” which police confirmed was fake. The vehicle has been seized, and a separate FIR (No. 385/2025, dated 25 August 2025) was registered under sections 345(3), 318(4), 336(3), and 340(2) BNS at Vasant Kunj North Police Station. The Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, has officially severed all ties with the accused, stating that his actions are “illegal, inappropriate, and detrimental to the interests of the Peetham.” The Peetham has lodged complaints with the relevant authorities and emphasised that the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management is run under the guidance of a Governing Council, chaired by Dr. Krishna Venkatesh, to ensure the welfare of students and prevent disruption to educational programmes. Police continue efforts to trace the accused, who remains at large, and have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
