Published on: October 31, 2025 | New Delhi

In a significant development in the high-profile molestation case involving self-styled godman Chaitanyanand Saraswati, the Patiala House Court in New Delhi on Friday extended his judicial custody for another fourteen days. The court’s order means that Saraswati will remain behind bars until November 14, with his next bail hearing scheduled for November 7.

Saraswati, who was arrested on September 27 in Agra, has been accused of molesting 17 girls at an educational institution located in the Vasant Kunj area of South Delhi. The case has drawn national attention due to the number of victims involved and the disturbing nature of the allegations, which have prompted widespread outrage and calls for a thorough investigation.

Arrest and Initial Proceedings

The case against Chaitanyanand Saraswati began when a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station in New Delhi. The complaint alleged that several minor girls, who were students at an educational institute linked to Saraswati, were subjected to inappropriate and obscene acts under his supervision.

Following the registration of the FIR, Delhi Police teams traced Saraswati to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where he was arrested on September 27. The following day, on September 28, he was produced before a local court, which granted police five days of custodial remand for interrogation. During this period, investigators claimed to have gathered key evidence, including testimonies from victims and digital material that allegedly supported the claims of harassment.

After completing the custodial remand, Saraswati was remanded to judicial custody on October 3, marking the beginning of his stay in Tihar Jail. Since then, his judicial custody has been repeatedly extended, most recently on October 17 and now again on October 31, as the investigation continues to develop.

Court Proceedings and Investigation Status

On Friday, Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Animesh Kumar presided over the hearing and ordered the extension of Saraswati’s judicial custody until November 14. The Delhi Police sought additional time to continue their investigation and to file a comprehensive status report on the progress of the case.

During the hearing, Investigation Officer (IO) ACP Ved Prakash informed the court that the investigation was still ongoing and that several crucial steps remained incomplete. He stated that many of the victims—mostly students—had gone out of station for a session break, making it difficult for investigators to record their statements at this stage.

The police therefore requested additional time to conduct examinations and collect relevant materials, including electronic devices, digital evidence, and forensic reports. However, the court expressed concern over the pace of the investigation and emphasized that “ongoing investigation” alone cannot serve as a sufficient reason for adjournments or procedural delays.

The magistrate, while extending judicial custody, directed the police to expedite the probe and ensure that all missing procedural steps—such as the examination of witnesses and forensic submissions—are completed promptly.

Victim Testimonies and Evidence Collection

According to court records and police submissions, the statements of 16 victims have already been recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). These statements are considered crucial to the prosecution’s case, as they are legally admissible and carry significant evidentiary weight.

Investigators have also seized mobile phones belonging to five victims, which reportedly contain screenshots, messages, and other digital evidence supporting the allegations of molestation. Police said that the mobile devices of 11 other victims are yet to be seized and examined.

Furthermore, forensic experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) are currently analyzing digital data retrieved from the seized devices, including images, text messages, and videos. The FSL examination results are awaited, and police have indicated that the findings could be critical in establishing the chain of evidence.

The investigation team has also claimed to have recovered obscene photos and comments allegedly linked to Saraswati. These materials, according to the IO, were part of the broader pattern of inappropriate conduct being investigated. The prosecution believes that the digital trail could strengthen the case against the accused and corroborate the victims’ testimonies.

Arrests of Other Suspects

In addition to Saraswati, the police have so far arrested five other individuals, including three women, who were allegedly associated with the functioning of the educational institute where the incidents reportedly occurred. These individuals are suspected of either abetting the accused or attempting to suppress complaints from the victims.

While the exact roles of the arrested co-accused have not been publicly detailed, sources close to the investigation suggest that some of them were staff members who had direct contact with the students and may have facilitated access or attempted to intimidate the victims into silence.

Bail Plea and Court’s Observations

Saraswati’s counsel has repeatedly applied for bail, arguing that the allegations are exaggerated and that the accused has been cooperating with the investigation. The defense has also claimed that Saraswati’s name was being “maliciously dragged” into the case to damage his reputation and the institution’s standing.

However, the Delhi Police have opposed the bail plea, stating that the gravity of the offence, the number of victims involved, and the pending forensic analysis make the release of the accused premature and potentially detrimental to the ongoing investigation.

The court, while acknowledging the procedural rights of the accused, has thus far sided with the prosecution’s position that custodial detention is necessary to prevent tampering with evidence and ensure the protection of witnesses.

Earlier, on October 13, the court had asked the Delhi Police to file a fresh reply to the bail plea, after finding inconsistencies in the initial report. Police subsequently submitted an updated response, noting that substantial progress had been made but confirming that the inquiry was far from complete.

The next bail hearing has been fixed for November 7, during which the court is expected to assess the updated investigation report and determine whether further detention is justified.

Linked Financial Irregularities Case

Apart from the molestation case, Saraswati is also facing a separate financial irregularities investigation. The allegations in this case relate to the misuse of funds and illegal financial transactions connected to the management of the same educational institution.

Saraswati had earlier moved the court seeking anticipatory bail in the financial case, but the Patiala House Court rejected his plea, citing concerns that he might influence witnesses or obstruct the financial probe. The court noted that evidence collected so far indicated discrepancies in the management of funds and potential violations of financial regulations.

The Road Ahead

As the case moves forward, investigators are under mounting pressure to deliver conclusive findings. The Delhi Policehave stated that once all victims return after the session break on November 4, statements from the remaining complainants will be recorded and corroborated with forensic evidence.

The prosecution maintains that the available evidence already presents a compelling case against Saraswati and his associates, while the defense continues to insist on his innocence and questions the credibility of the allegations.

With the FSL results pending, witness examinations incomplete, and the bail hearing set for November 7, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of the case.

For now, Chaitanyanand Saraswati remains lodged in judicial custody as the investigation continues to unfold, and the court awaits the next major update from the Delhi Police on the progress of their probe into one of the most disturbing criminal allegations to emerge from the capital’s educational institutions in recent years.