The director of a well-known ashram in Delhi’s posh Vasant Kunj area has been accused of sexually harassing over a dozen women students, said police.

Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati alias Partha Sarathy, of Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management, now faces a police case for harassing students pursuing post-graduate management diploma courses with scholarship in the economically weaker sections (EWS) category.

The police said at least 17 female students, of 32 students who recorded their statements with them, have accused Swami Chaitanyananda of using abusive language, sending lewd text messages, and forced physical contact. Women faculty and administrative staff also pressured the students to comply with the demands of the accused, the victims alleged.

The students claimed that some wardens working at the ashram had introduced them to the accused.

The accused used to call the students to his room, and lure them with free foreign trips, according to his sleazy chats with the victims.