Delhi Police on Sunday arrested Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, the former chairman of the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, from Agra after multiple students filed complaints accusing him of molestation. Authorities say 17 students have come forward alleging inappropriate conduct at the Delhi institute; the accused has been taken into custody as the probe proceeds.

In a brief statement, Delhi Police confirmed the arrest and said officers executed the detention following coordination with Uttar Pradesh police. A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, said investigators are recording statements and collecting evidence, including electronic records and witness testimonies. "We are following all leads and will produce the accused before a magistrate as required by law," the official said.

The allegations, which students reported to campus authorities before being lodged with police, have put the institute and its governance structure under scrutiny. The Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, until recently chaired by Chaitanyananda Saraswati, has a public profile that blends vocational education with spiritual and moral instruction, a model not uncommon among privately run Indian colleges and training centres. Representatives of the institute did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Legal experts noted the case illustrates the distinct challenges of investigating complaints against religious or semi-religious leaders who wield social authority over followers and students. "When a figure combines institutional power and spiritual influence, victims may face intense pressure not to come forward," said a Delhi-based criminal law specialist. She added that thorough, sensitive evidence-gathering and victim support are essential to overcoming such barriers.

The arrest follows a broader pattern of recent high-profile allegations against individuals with religious affiliations, prompting renewed debate about oversight mechanisms for organizations that operate outside conventional public accountability structures. Policy advocates say the incident highlights the need for clearer regulatory standards for governance, mandatory reporting protocols for allegations of sexual misconduct, and stronger protections for students in private institutions.

Victim-support organizations welcomed the arrest as an important step but cautioned that criminal proceedings can be protracted and retraumatizing. "Arrest is not accountability on its own," said a representative of a Delhi-based survivors' group. "Investigators and institutions must ensure proper legal remedies, counselling, and safeguards so others can come forward without fear."

Police said the probe will determine whether further charges are warranted and whether additional arrests should be made. Investigators are also reviewing whether any institutional actors attempted to impede or delay reporting. Legal analysts say outcome of the case could influence campus-level policies and legislative attention toward institutions that combine educational functions with religious leadership.

As the judicial process unfolds, students, alumni and advocacy groups are likely to press for transparency in the handling of complaints and for institutional reforms to prevent future harm. For now, the arrest has opened a legal and civic reckoning over how power, faith and education intersect in settings outside conventional regulatory scrutiny.