The director of a well-known ashram in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj has been accused of sexually harassing more than a dozen women students, police said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati alias Partha Sarathy, headed the Delhi branch of the Sri Sharda Institute of Indian Management. He now faces a police case based on complaints from students enrolled in post-graduate management diploma courses under the economically weaker sections (EWS) scholarship.

According to police, out of 32 students who gave statements, at least 17 women accused Chaitanyananda of harassment. The charges include use of abusive language, sending lewd text messages, and inappropriate physical contact.

Students also alleged that some wardens at the ashram introduced them to the accused, while women faculty and administrative staff pressured them to go along with his demands.

A case of sexual harassment and other offences has been registered, said Amit Goyal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South-West District. He added that CCTV footage has been analysed and raids carried out at the crime site as well as the accused’s home. However, Chaitanyananda is still absconding and was last traced near Agra, according to police sources. Several teams are searching for him.

During the probe, police also discovered a Volvo car with a fake diplomatic number plate (39 UN 1) in the institute’s basement. The car, used by the accused, has been seized.

Following the accusations, the ashram administration removed Chaitanyananda from his post and expelled him. The Delhi branch, where he worked, is linked to the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetha in Sringeri, South India.

In a statement, the Peetha said Swami Chaitanyananda’s actions were “illegal, inappropriate, and against the Peetha’s interests” and confirmed it has cut all ties with him.

The Delhi unit of the institute had been running two batches, each with over 35 students.