New Delhi: The recent arrest of self-styled godman Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati has unveiled disturbing details about his alleged exploitation of young women students. The case, which has sent shockwaves through the community, gained significant attention after the discovery of incriminating WhatsApp chats that reveal a darker side of the spiritual leader’s interactions with his victims.
One of the most alarming revelations is found in a WhatsApp conversation where Chaitanyananda appears to be trying to arrange a meeting for what he describes as a “Dubai Sheikh.” In this exchange with a supposed student, the 62-year-old godman bluntly asks, “One Dubai Sheikh wants to [have] a sex partner, do you have any nice friend?” The student’s responses, “Koi nahi hai” (There is no one) and “I don’t know,” reflect the desperation and power dynamics at play. His probing for other candidates among classmates or juniors only deepens the unsettling nature of these conversations.
In addition to these exploitative propositions, Chaitanyananda’s chats with his victims exhibit a disturbing pattern of control and emotional manipulation. He frequently uses infantilizing pet names such as “Sweetie Baby Daughter Doll,” bombarding the victims with obsessive messages throughout the day and into late hours. Messages like “Babyyyyy,” “Baby where are you?” and “Why are you angry with me?” showcase a relentless pressure to dominate and emotionally sway the victims. At times, he adopts a tone of feigned affection, as seen when he writes, “Good Evening my most beloved baby daughter doll,” which contrasts starkly with the predatory undertones throughout the conversations.
The arrest itself took place in Agra’s Taj Ganj area at around 3:30 am on a Sunday. After nearly two months of evading capture by moving discreetly between Vrindavan, Mathura, and Agra, Chaitanyananda was finally apprehended in a hotel where he had been staying under the alias “Partha Sarathi.” Police officials revealed that he had been living in Room 101 since September 27 and that he made efforts to stay under the radar by frequently switching locations and avoiding prolonged stays in one place.
During the arrest, police seized several electronic devices, including an iPad and three mobile phones. One of these phones reportedly had remote access to the CCTV cameras and hostel premises of his institute, suggesting a high level of surveillance and control over the victims. Authorities also recovered fake visiting cards that falsely claimed he was a “Permanent Ambassador” to the UN Economic and Social Council and a “Special Envoy” for BRICS, alongside two passports under different names and conflicting personal details. The police froze assets worth Rs 8 crore, adding a financial dimension to the ongoing investigation.
Further scrutiny revealed that Chaitanyananda had withdrawn over Rs 50 lakh even after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him in August. Investigators allege these withdrawals were made using fraudulent documents, hinting at a sophisticated scheme to evade legal and financial accountability.
The initial allegations came from female students enrolled at the godman’s private management institute in Delhi. According to the FIR, Chaitanyananda coerced some students into late-night visits to his quarters and sent sexually explicit messages at irregular hours. Police also suspect the involvement of three female aides from the institute who may have assisted him in threatening students and deleting incriminating messages.
This unfolding case highlights the serious issue of exploitation under the guise of spirituality, with authorities continuing their investigation to bring all responsible parties to justice.
