The Delhi Police filed a 1,077-page chargesheet in the Patiala House court on Wednesday against Chaitanyananda Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing 19 women at Vasant Kunj’s Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management, where he served as the chancellor.
Police have charged Chaitanyananda for sexual harassment, insulting a woman’s modesty, giving false evidence and criminal intimidation under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The chargesheet, based on statements of 43 witnesses, also names Bhawna Kapil, Shweta and Kajal Kapil, who allegedly coerced the woman into giving in to Chaitanyananda’s advances, an officer said.
Another name mentioned in the chargesheet is Harish Singh Kapkoti, who allegedly threatened the father of one of the witnesses and helped Chaitanyananda escape, the officer added.
“JMFC (Judicial Magistrate First Class) Animesh Kumar has listed the matter for hearing on Thursday,” DCP (South West) Amit Goel said.
Chaitanyananda, who is lodged at Tihar Jail, was arrested from a hotel in Agra on September 28.He was also booked for alleged misappropriation of funds worth Rs 20 crore following a complaint by the religious body that runs the Vasant Kunj institute.
