Chaitanyananda withdraws bail plea, awaits chargesheet in sexual harassment case

Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, former director of a Vasant Kunj-based management institute and accused of molesting and sexually abusing at least 17 female students, withdrew his bail plea before a Delhi court on Friday.

His counsel told Additional Sessions Judge Deepti Devesh that the accused would wait for the Delhi police to file its chargesheet before deciding on the next course of action. In his bail plea, Mr. Saraswati had claimed that the allegations against him were based on “tutored” complainants, asserting that he was being targeted for enforcing strict discipline at the institute. Several witnesses also joined the proceedings on Friday, which were held in camera.

Meanwhile, the police submitted a status report on the investigation, stating that incriminating evidence had been recovered after more victims came forward to record their statements. Sources said that some victims, who were unavailable during the Deepavali holidays, have now shared objectionable videos and messages allegedly sent by Mr. Swami to the police. The chargesheet in the matter is likely to be filed before the end of the month.

The case stems from an FIR lodged against Mr. Swami, who was dismissed from his post soon after the allegations surfaced. The complaint alleges that he forced female students to visit his quarters late at night and sent them inappropriate messages at odd hours. He is also accused of monitoring their movements through his phone. The investigation also revealed that the accused operated multiple bank accounts under different names and withdrew over ₹50 lakh after the FIR was registered. Police said he had submitted documents with varying particulars to open these accounts. Fake visiting cards showing purported associations with the United Nations and BRICS were also recovered from him.