• Source:JND
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A Delhi court on Sunday sent Chaitanyanand Saraswati, a self-styled godman, to five-day police custody following his arrest in sexual assault case. Chaitanyanand, also known as Parthasarthy, was arrested from Agra as he was on the run.

Duty Magistrate Ravi announced the order after the baba was produced before the judge at 3.40 pm. The police had sought custody for questioning. Saraswati, 62, is accused of sexually harassing 17 women students at Shri Sharda Institute of Management.\

During the arguments, the prosecution alleged that Saraswati had molested several women and sought sexual favours from them. The prosecution emphasised 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.

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Opposing the custody demand, the counsel for the accused countered the plea, saying that all "16-20 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 complainant's advocate said that the police custody was required as Chaitanyanand needed to be confronted with the statements of the victims, digital, and other pieces of evidence.

To this, the advocate representing Chaitanyanand retorted by accusing the prosecution of using 'hollow cards.' 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. Another FIR has been registered for the offence of cheating, where the accused's anticipatory bail has been rejected."

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This is the first time he has joined the investigation in two months. The accused is not cooperating with the investigation. He has not given his passwords of his iPad and iCloud. Mere seizure is not enough," he added. After hearing the detailed arguments from both sides, the court sent the self-styled godman to the police custody.

(With PTI Inputs)