‘He planted cameras to spy on us’

‘Raised alarm in 2016, but no action’

- Jignasa Sinha

The Delhi Police have booked the former chairman of Shri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, Vasant Kunj, on charges of molesting and harassing over 17 women students, with several present and former students on Thursday alleging that he planted hidden cameras in the girls’ hostel, filmed their conversations, and later questioned them about their romantic involvements and shower routine besides making sexually explicit remarks.

The accused, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, also known as Dr Parthasarthy, has been absconding since August, when the first complaint was filed. Police said he faces five FIRs covering allegations of molestation, cheating, forgery and fraud against his employer, the Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham.

‘According to an FIR accessed by HT, the Peetham began probing Saraswati in July on charges of fraud when they uncovered allegations of sexual misconduct. Peetham said they later received an email from a student of the 2023 batch alleging she ‘was molested by the chairman. A second email was received from an air force group captain citing more similar complaints.

On August 2, the Peetham council held a two-hour virtual meeting with 30 female students, who alleged that Saraswati and his associates harassed and traumatised students, most of them from poor backgrounds.

The FIR records allegations that cameras were installed in the hostel “in the guise of security,” that women were forced to accompany Saraswati on foreign trips, and that some were summoned to his private room at night. “There is a grave sense of fear... they have all been subject to various kinds of sexual atrocities,” the FIR notes.

Two former students spoke to HT, describing illegal surveillance, public humiliation, and repeated sexual remarks.

A 2018 batch student from Haryana said she was branded “characterless” before others for having a boyfriend.