Ashok Kharat Scandal Exposes Maharashtra’s Godman–Power Nexus The arrest of Ashok Kharat, a self-styled Godman from Nashik, on charges of rape, molestation, and cheating has sparked a political crisis in Maharashtra. His alleged network, which connected him to politicians across multiple parties, bureaucrats, and senior police officers, has triggered resignations, accusations, and factional maneuvering within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that eight cases had been registered against Kharat, with three women agreeing to file formal complaints. Police seized two laptops, a revolver, and 21 live cartridges during searches at his properties. Kharat, whose real name is Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat, hailed from Kahandalwadi village in Nashik district. He worked as a merchant navy officer before adopting the title “Captain” as part of his public persona. Local sources and a senior revenue officer in Nashik revealed that his formal education ended at Class 8. After returning to Nashik in 1992, he transitioned through various occupations before establishing himself as an astrologer and numerologist in 2002. The officer claimed Kharat sold cheap ornaments bought in Mumbai as “God-gifted jewellery,” often inflating their prices by hundreds of times. In 2003, he allegedly cheated a police officer and two women close to him, with a local politician intervening to protect him at the time. Over the next two decades, Kharat built a following across North Maharashtra, attracting politicians, bureaucrats, police officers, builders, and industrialists. He constructed the Ishaneshwar temple in Mirgaon village and established the Shivanika charitable trust, with Chakankar listed as a trustee.#devendra_fadnavis #chandrakant_patil #harshwardhan_sapkal #ashok_kharat #jaykumar_rawal
