Chaitanyananda Sent to 5-Day Police Custody in Sexual Harassment Case

PTI, NEW DELHI, SEPT 28, 2025: A Delhi court on Sunday remanded Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a self-styled godman and sexual harassment accused, to five days' police custody for questioning. The order was announced by Duty Magistrate Ravi.

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

During the arguments, the prosecution alleged that Saraswati had molested several women and sought sexual favors from them. The prosecution further claimed that the testimonies of the victims had corroborated the allegations.

"He had given them threats. CCTV cameras were installed to monitor their movements – some were installed in bathrooms. Around 16 girls have complained. Several other allegations need to be verified," the prosecution alleged.

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, and my 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 into judicial custody," the counsel pleaded.

The advocate appearing for the complainants argued that police custody was required as the accused needed to be confronted with the statements of the victims, digital, and other pieces of evidence.

The prosecution was using "hollow words," the defense counsel retorted. The complainant's advocate responded, "One witness has categorically stated that she would be picked up if she dared to complain. Investigation, which is at an nascent stage, runs the risk of being tampered with. Another FIR has been registered for the offense of cheating, where the accused's anticipatory bail has been rejected."

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

The defense counsel argued that his client's conduct had nothing to do with the plea seeking police custody. "They have data from around 40 CCTV cameras. They have to show a requirement for police custody," he said.