The Patiala House Court in Delhi on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of self-styled godman Swami Chaitanyanand Saraswati, who faces allegations of large-scale financial irregularities.
The court noted that the seriousness of the charges makes custodial interrogation necessary at this stage of investigation.
Saraswati has been booked under multiple sections, including cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and use of forged documents.
Delhi Police allege that he consolidated his control over the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham by subletting its properties to private firms for monetary benefits.
The bail plea was rejected only hours after the court had reserved its order on the matter.
 The godman has also been embroiled in a separate case of sexual harassment, where he is accused of molesting 17 female students at a private management institute in Delhi, further intensifying scrutiny around him.
