Astrologer Ashok Kharat: 2 Credit Societies, 132 Accounts, Rs 63 Crore Transactions: How Nashik 'Godman' Built His Fortunes NASHIK: Self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who is facing rape charges, allegedly opened more than 130 accounts in two cooperative credit societies in Maharashtra using different names and carried out transactions worth nearly Rs 63 crore over the past few years, a police official said. According to news agency PTI, one of the accounts was opened in the name of the sister of former Maharashtra State Women’s Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar, who resigned last month after her alleged links with Kharat surfaced following his arrest in Nashik. The details came to light during an ongoing probe by police in Ahilyanagar district in connection with a cheating case registered against Kharat, his wife Kalpana, and three others. The case pertains to the Kharat couple, residents of Nashik district, who allegedly attempted to grab four acres of land in Shirdi after extending a loan of Rs 5.52 crore to the owner. Shirdi police have arrested two middlemen in the case and are searching for Kalpana and another accused. To prevent her from leaving the country, a Lookout Notice has been issued against Kalpana, Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said. Immigration officials at designated airports, seaports, and land borders have been alerted in connection with the case. During the investigation into the cheating case registered in Shirdi, police found that Kharat had opened more than 130 accounts in two cooperative credit societies in Ahilyanagar district in the names of different individuals. Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said these accounts recorded heavy transaction volumes over the past few years.#enforcement_directorate #shirdi #ashok_kharat #rupali_chakankar #somnath_gharge
Godman Kharat faces 8 FIRs, including of rape; SIT probing role of officials, aides: Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Tuesday that eight FIRs have been filed against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat following multiple complaints alleging sexual assault, extortion, and the distribution of objectionable material. The cases, which include allegations of rape, have prompted the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, revealed that Kharat was in police custody until March 29, 2026, and that the SIT is examining potential involvement of government officials and aides in the alleged offenses. The FIRs were registered after police examined phone call records, messages, and screenshots, with cases under the IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section 308 (extortion) being filed. Fadnavis highlighted a complaint filed on February 18, 2026, in Shirdi, Ahilyanagar district, where a woman alleged that Neeraj Jadhav created and shared an AI-generated image of her, threatening to make it viral. Though the accused deleted the image, he issued threats, and a case was registered, though the complainant provided limited details. During the investigation, police recovered crucial evidence from devices linked to Kharat’s aides. Fadnavis accused Kharat of posing as a religious figure to exploit women, stating that he allegedly engaged in rape and obscene behavior. A witness who attempted to provide evidence reportedly feared for their life. The CM also mentioned that a lookout circular was issued on March 10 to prevent Kharat from leaving the country, and the SIT was constituted to handle the probe.#devendra_fadnavis #nashik #shirdi #ashok_kharat #sarkarwada_police_station
Premises Used as Brothel Can Be Shut Without Owner’s Conviction Nagpur: The Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad bench recently clarified the scope of preventive powers under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (PITA), ruling that a magistrate can order the closure of premises used as a brothel without the owner’s conviction. The court upheld a sub-divisional magistrate’s order to evict and temporarily shut down a hotel in Shirdi, which authorities alleged was operating as a prostitution racket disguised as a spa. Justice Mehroz Pathan dismissed a petition challenging the order, emphasizing that the action was legally valid under Section 18(1) of the PITA. The case originated from a December 2023 police raid at the hotel, where officers uncovered evidence of a prostitution network. During the operation, police recovered marked currency, mobile phones, and condoms, and identified multiple women allegedly involved in the sex trade. Based on these findings, authorities proposed the closure of the premises. The petitioners contested the order, arguing it violated natural justice and lacked sufficient evidence, including proximity to public spaces. They also claimed the premises had been leased to another individual and that action could not be taken without prosecuting the actual operator. The court rejected these arguments, noting that multiple notices had been served to the petitioners, who failed to respond. Justice Pathan distinguished between Sections 18(1) and 18(2) of the PITA, clarifying that conviction of the owner is not required for Section 18(1), which is preventive in nature. The court cited Supreme Court precedents to underscore the law’s intent to maintain “moral hygiene” in communities and act as a “quick-acting mechanism” to curb illegal activities.#bombay_high_court #aurangabad_bench #shirdi #justice_mehroz_pathan #immoral_traffic_prevention_act
