Nashik: A Nashik court on Sunday remanded self-styled astrologer and godman Ashok Kharat to judicial custody until May 9 in connection with the sixth case of sexual exploitation registered against him. Kharat, who was arrested on March 18, faces a barrage of allegations involving the sexual abuse of multiple women and large-scale financial fraud under the guise of “divine powers” and black magic. The proceedings were conducted via video conferencing due to security concerns surrounding the high-profile accused.
In this specific case, Kharat is accused of exploiting a young woman who had sought his help for personal issues. According to the police, Kharat used intimidation tactics, threatening to use his “divine powers” to destroy her family if she did not comply with his demands. He also allegedly seized sensitive identification documents from her, including the family’s PAN cards and other records, to maintain leverage over them. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) took custody of Kharat on Friday after receiving court permission to probe this latest set of charges.
The investigation into Kharat’s activities has expanded significantly, with 12 cases now registered across Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts, including eight involving sexual exploitation and four related to cheating. Beyond these, seven additional cases have been filed in various cities across Maharashtra. On Friday, a new case emerged involving a former confidant and Chartered Accountant who accused Kharat of cheating him of 8.76 crore between 2018 and 2023. The CA alleged that Kharat manipulated him into paying for expensive rituals by claiming his parents’ lives were in danger.
The SIT continues to uncover disturbing evidence, including objectionable videos found at Kharat’s farmhouse in Sinnar taluka. Interestingly, the CA’s complaint suggests that a cook employed at the farmhouse acted as a whistleblower by leaving CCTV cameras running, allegedly capturing Kharat’s obscene activities despite instructions to turn them off. The SIT is scheduled to produce Kharat in court again on Monday to seek police custody for a seventh case of sexual harassment as they continue to untangle his extensive web of criminal activity.
