Self-styled spiritual guru Chaitanyananda Saraswati faces sexual assault charges, while his alleged academic and celebrity claims come under scrutiny.
Who Is Chaitanyananda Saraswati?
Chaitanyananda Saraswati, a Delhi-based self-styled godman, is now facing serious allegations of sexually harassing at least 19 female students. But as the molestation charges mount, so do questions about his extraordinary — and possibly fake — credentials.
His Claims: MBA, PhD, DLitt — and Global Fame?
According to multiple platforms and his own books, Chaitanyananda claims:
- He has an MBA and PhD from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
- He completed post-doctoral studies and holds seven honorary DLitt degrees from universities in India and abroad.
- He authored 28 books and 143 research papers.
- He is an “internationally acclaimed writer” and a “celebrated management guru.”
These credentials are featured prominently on his book covers and author bios on online marketplaces.
Steve Jobs, Obama & Ban Ki-Moon Mentions
In what now appears increasingly dubious, his books claim:
- Apple founder Steve Jobs wrote a foreword for Forget Classroom Learning, calling it: “An unprecedented preparatory and guiding manual for the applied world of management.”
- Another book, Transforming Personality, claims it was frequently quoted by Barack Obama during his campaign.
- The same book includes an endorsement allegedly from Ban Ki-Moon, former UN Secretary-General.
Delhi Police sources now strongly suspect these endorsements are fabricated.
The Criminal Charges Against Him
Chaitanyananda was the director of Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management, where most of the alleged harassment took place. The timeline of accusations includes:
- Accused of molestation in 2009, 2016, and now again in 2025.
- 19 women have come forward in the current case.
- Police have issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) to prevent him from fleeing the country.
- The godman is currently absconding.
What Police Are Investigating
- Verification of academic degrees from the University of Chicago and others.
- Authenticity of book endorsements from high-profile global figures.
- A full probe into whether his public image was constructed to gain trust and access to students and institutions.
A senior officer said:
“Much of his academic and global profile is likely fake. We are verifying all claims.”
Summary
From claiming Ivy League degrees to quoting Steve Jobs and Barack Obama, Chaitanyananda built a public image of prestige and spiritual authority. But behind the claims lies a growing body of evidence of predatory behaviour, dating back over two decades.
As the Delhi Police close in, questions mount — was this all just an elaborate con?
