Self-Styled Godman Ashok Kharat Accused of Sexual Exploitation Using Divine Power Threats
In a shocking case from Maharashtra, self-styled godman and astrologer Ashok Kharat has been accused of sexually exploiting women by allegedly claiming he possessed "divine power" and threatening to cause the death of their family members or defame them if they did not comply. Investigators revealed these details as part of an ongoing probe into multiple criminal cases against him.
Arrest and Initial Allegations
Kharat was arrested in March after a married woman accused him of raping her repeatedly over a period of three years. A subsequent investigation uncovered several alleged offences, including sexual assault and financial irregularities linked to land and other properties. He is currently in police custody and is facing 12 criminal cases in Ahilya Nagar and Nashik city, with eight of these related to sexual assault.
Modus Operandi: Exploiting Faith and Fear
According to investigators, Kharat allegedly followed a similar modus operandi in multiple cases, using fear, superstition, and so-called rituals to control and exploit victims and their families. IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute, who heads the Special Investigation Team (SIT), explained that during questioning, it came to light that the accused exploited the faith of victims and their families.
"By instilling fear of death in the victim's family members and using items like stones, tamarind seeds, and conducting rituals, he extorted money from them," Satpute told PTI on Tuesday. She added that Kharat sexually abused women by claiming to possess divine powers and threatening them with death or defamation of their family members if they did not comply.
Investigation Details and Cyber Efforts
The SIT has formed a special 24-member team to probe the cases against Kharat. The investigation has also expanded to the online circulation of objectionable videos of victims. Satpute noted that the SIT's cyber team has removed 4,650 links related to objectionable videos of victims, which were uploaded on various social media platforms. Additionally, 451 accounts that repeatedly posted objectionable content on social media have been permanently deleted.
Police have registered two cases in connection with the circulation of the objectionable videos and arrested six individuals. Satpute emphasized, "Kharat is facing 12 criminal cases in Ahilya Nagar and Nashik City. Among these, eight are related to sexually assaulting women, and the SIT is probing a case of financial fraud."
Financial Probe and Political Controversy
The financial aspect of the case is also under scrutiny, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launching a probe into transactions allegedly linked to Kharat and his properties. Responding to a query on the financial aspects, Satpute said the ED is probing financial transactions and properties, and the SIT is providing full cooperation.
After Kharat’s arrest, photographs of him with prominent politicians went viral, triggering a political controversy in the state. This has added a layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the broader societal implications of such alleged exploitation.
The SIT has so far recorded statements of 30 witnesses and victims, underscoring the scale of the investigation. As the probe continues, authorities are focusing on unraveling the full extent of Kharat's alleged crimes and ensuring justice for the victims.
