A Delhi court on Sunday remanded Chaitanyananda Saraswati, 62, a godman, to five days’ police custody for questioning. Accused of sexually harassing 17 women students at a private Delhi institute, he was apprehended from a hotel in Agra Sunday. He was produced before the judge at 3.40 pm.
During the arguments, the prosecution alleged that Saraswati had molested several women and sought sexual favours from them and that the testimonies of the victims had corroborated the allegations.
“He had given them threats. (CCTV) Cameras were installed to monitor their movement — 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, saying all “16-20 women” women had already recorded their statements.
“You have already taken my phones, one iPad, and my luggage. I am diabetic, having anxiety issues, whose 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 in judicial custody,” the counsel pleaded.
The advocate appearing for the complainant said police custody was required as the accused needed to be confronted with the statements of victims, digital, and other pieces of evidence.
The prosecution was using “hollow words,” the defence counsel retorted.
The complainant’s advocate said, “One witness has categorically stated that she would be picked up if she dared to complain. Investigation, which is at a nascent stage, runs the risk of being tampered with.”