Delhi ashram's Swami Chaitanyananda flaunts Chicago PhD, 7 DLitts, then mentions Obama, Steve Jobs, Ban Ki-moon

Dealhi ashram swami

Delhi Police have intensified their search for self-styled godman and former institute director, Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, accused of molesting at least 19 students. While he remains on the run, investigators are now unravelling a web of dubious academic claims and questionable endorsements that helped him build an aura of respectability.

According to an NDTV report, Chaitanyananda projected himself as a highly qualified management guru with degrees from top global universities. His public profiles on academic research-sharing platforms claim an MBA and PhD from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, along with multiple post-doctoral qualifications and seven honorary DLitt degrees.

Delhi Police sources reportedly said that many of these credentials are likely fabricated. A detailed inquiry has been launched to verify the authenticity of his academic background.

Beyond academia, the accused also built his image as a prolific author. On e-commerce platforms, his book listings describe him as an “internationally acclaimed writer” with 28 titles and 143 research papers to his name.

Some of these books carry extraordinary claims. One volume, Forget Classroom Learning, features a foreword attributed to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who is quoted as describing it as “an unprecedented preparatory and guiding manual for the applied world of management”.

Another book, Transforming Personality, allegedly received repeated mentions by former US President Barack Obama during his election campaign. It also carried an appreciation note purportedly from former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Police now suspect these endorsements are fabricated, pointing to a pattern of self-promotion through unverifiable associations.

The criminal investigation began after students at the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management in Vasant Kunj, where Chaitanyananda served as director, accused him of sexual harassment. NDTV reported that complaints reveal he had been preying on women for nearly two decades.

This is not the first time he has faced allegations. Records show molestation charges were filed against him in both 2009 and 2016. Despite these cases, he managed to rebuild his image and continue holding positions of authority in academia and spiritual circles.

Authorities have now issued a lookout circular to prevent him from leaving the country. Investigators are focusing on both the sexual harassment complaints and the alleged fraudulent use of academic and celebrity credentials.