Self-Styled Godman Withdraws Bail Application in High-Profile Molestation Case
In a significant development, self-proclaimed spiritual leader Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati has withdrawn his bail application before a Delhi court in a sensitive molestation case that has shocked the capital. The accused, currently in judicial custody, faces serious allegations from sixteen female students of a prominent management institute.
Court Proceedings and Legal Strategy Shift
The dramatic withdrawal occurred on Friday when Swami Chaitanyananda's legal team informed Additional Sessions Judge Deepti Devesh of Patiala House Court that they were voluntarily pulling back the bail plea. Senior Advocate Ajay Burman, representing the spiritual leader, clearly stated their revised legal approach to the court.
"We are withdrawing the bail plea as we want to wait for the chargesheet in the matter to be filed to examine the allegations," Burman explained during the proceedings. This strategic move indicates the defense team's decision to first scrutinize the formal evidence compilation before pursuing bail again.
The court had previously expressed serious concerns about the case's severity during last month's hearing. Judge Devesh had emphasized that the gravity of the offence had increased multifold due to the large number of victims involved in the case, making bail less likely to be granted at this stage.
Background of the Case and Serious Allegations
Swami Chaitanyananda served as the chancellor of Vasant Kunj-based Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research, an institution operated by Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham based in Sringeri, Karnataka. The spiritual leader's fall from grace began when multiple students came forward with disturbing accounts of misconduct.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered against him, the allegations include:
- Forcing female students to visit his quarters late at night
- Sending inappropriate text messages during odd hours
- Allegedly tracking students' movements through his phone
- Making unwanted physical contact with the victims
The case took a serious turn when Chaitanyananda was arrested from a hotel in Agra on September 28, following the formal complaints lodged by the affected students.
Investigation Status and Additional Legal Troubles
Delhi Police submitted a status report revealing that while most eyewitnesses have been examined, investigators still await access to the accused's iPad, which could contain crucial digital evidence. The technological aspect of the investigation remains pending as authorities work to build a comprehensive case.
In his initial bail application, Swami Chaitanyananda had countered the allegations by claiming that the complainants had been tutored and conspired against him because he enforced strict discipline at the educational institution. He maintained that he had no direct interaction with students, a statement that contrasts sharply with the detailed accounts provided by the sixteen accusers.
Adding to his legal complications, another FIR was registered against him on July 25 concerning alleged embezzlement and misappropriation of funds totaling Rs 20 crore. This separate case originated from a complaint filed by the religious body that operates the private institute, indicating broader institutional concerns beyond the molestation allegations.
The case continues to develop as the Delhi Police prepares its formal chargesheet, which will determine the future legal strategy for both the prosecution and defense in this high-profile matter that has drawn national attention to issues of safety in educational institutions and accountability of spiritual leaders.
