Delhi Police arrest Chaitanyanand Saraswati after court denies bail

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Sunday arrested spiritual leader Chaitanyanand Saraswati from Agra in connection with a sexual harassment case, shortly after a Delhi court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

The arrest is linked not only to the harassment allegations but also to a wider probe into alleged large-scale financial irregularities. Investigators say the case involves misappropriation of funds belonging to the Sringeri Sharada Peetham and its educational arm, the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research (SIIMR) in Delhi.

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Chaitanyanand Saraswati. He had sought anticipatory bail in a case of alleged financial irregularities lodged against him.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Dr Hardeep Kaur dismissed the plea after hearing the submissions made by the counsel for the accused, counsel for the complainant and the Delhi police.

An FIR has been lodged in connection with an alleged multi-crore fraud, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds belonging to the prestigious Sringeri Sharada Peetham.

The prosecution and complainant alleged that Saraswati, in collusion with associates, unlawfully created a fraudulent trust, fabricated documents, including AICTE approvals, and diverted revenues meant for the Peetham and its educational institution, the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research.

Delhi police accused him of subletting land in Vasant Kunj, siphoning off approximately Rs 40 crore, and operating bank accounts under different names.