Delhi Court sends godman Chaitanyananda to 5 days police custody over sexual harassment allegations

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Sunday remanded Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a self-styled godman accused of sexual harassment, to five days’ police custody for questioning. The order was announced by Duty Magistrate Ravi.

What are the allegations against Saraswati?

Saraswati, 62, is accused of sexually harassing 17 women students at a private institute in Delhi. He was apprehended from a hotel in Agra on Sunday morning and produced before the judge at 3:40 pm.

During the hearing, the prosecution alleged that Saraswati had molested several women and sought sexual favours from them, adding that the testimonies of the victims corroborated the allegations.

"He had given them threats. (CCTV) Cameras were installed to monitor their movement – some were installed in bathrooms. Around 16 girls have complained. Several other allegations need to be verified," the prosecution said.

What did the defence say?

The counsel for the accused countered the plea for custodial interrogation, stating that all "16-20 women" had already recorded their statements.

"You have already taken my phones, one iPad, and my luggage. I am diabetic, having anxiety issues, whose monk's robes have been taken away. I am not allowed to wear my robes. You want police custody only to harass me. In case you feel there is any threat (to the women), that can be countered by taking me in judicial custody," the defence counsel pleaded.

The defence also argued, "They have data of around 40 CCTV cameras. They have to show a requirement for police custody."

Why did the prosecution seek police custody?

The advocate for the complainant said police custody was required to confront the accused with statements from victims, as well as digital and other pieces of evidence.

The prosecution highlighted that one witness had "categorically stated that she would be picked up if she dared to complain." They added that the investigation, which is at a nascent stage, "runs the risk of being tampered with."

Another FIR has been registered for cheating, and the accused’s anticipatory bail in that case had been rejected.

The complainant’s advocate continued, "This is the first time he has joined the investigation in two months. Accused is not cooperating with the investigation. He has not given passwords of his iPad and iCloud. Mere seizure is not enough."

The defence counsel retorted that his client’s conduct had nothing to do with the plea for police custody.

What has the police discovered so far?

Police have frozen Rs 8 crore parked in multiple bank accounts and fixed deposits linked to Saraswati. According to the FIR, Saraswati, a former chairman of a management institute in southwest Delhi, allegedly forced female students to visit his quarters late at night and sent inappropriate text messages at odd hours. He allegedly kept track of the students’ movements through his phone.

Investigators revealed that he had used different names and particulars to operate multiple bank accounts and withdrew over Rs 50 lakh after the FIR was registered. Saraswati also allegedly submitted documents with varying particulars when opening these accounts.

Police reportedly found fake visiting cards from him showing his association with the United Nations and BRICS.

PTI inputs