A special investigation team that was formed to investigate the charges against the self-styled godman and astrologer Ashok Kharat on charges of sexual assault against women has found that the accused allegedly exploited more than 150 women.
The SIT team visited the Nashik office of the accused and seized two laptops and one mobile phone. The information on the seized devices revealed that the accused allegedly exploited women on the pretext of improving their lives and helping them overcome personal and professional problems.
The authorities sealed the accused’s office and properties and froze the financial transactions the accused had made.
The police stated that the accused used multiple mobile phones to call high-profile people, including women. The investigators also found evidence that the accused allegedly drugged the drinks and sweets offered to the victims before assaulting them, sometimes after hypnotizing them.
The case also involves former Shiv Sena minister Deepak Kesarkar, who allegedly helped the accused’s brother, Dilip Kharat, obtain government sanction for schools and colleges using fake documents.
Opposition parties have called for further investigation into the allegations against Kesarkar, who allegedly had close ties with Kharat and used his position as education minister to misuse his power.
Kesarkar claimed he was not being targeted as 30 to 35 legislators from the state had been in touch with Kharat. Kesarkar further claimed that the media were unfairly targeting him.
The leader of the Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party, Vijay Wadettiwar, claimed that government officials visited Kharat with their wives and waited outside while Kharat assaulted the women.
High-profile devotees participated in the “wife-swapping” schemes arranged by Kharat.
“Ashok Kharat literally ran a sex racket where many high-profile politicians, businessmen, and bureaucrats were involved,” a Congress leader said. “This case should not be used for political manipulations and settling scores. But the SIT and other probe agencies should conduct a fair and transparent probe that will not only give justice to victims but also expose the rotten system.”
The local court extended Kharat’s police custody until April 1, 2026.
