Nashik Astrologer Faces Fresh Charges in Land Grab Case Valued at Rs10 Crore
In a significant development, the Shirdi police in Ahmednagar district have officially registered a comprehensive case against Nashik-based astrologer Ashok Kharat, his wife Kalpana, and three other individuals. The charges include cheating, criminal breach of trust, and illegal money lending, stemming from a detailed complaint filed by a 55-year-old resident of Rahata. The complainant has accused Kharat of unlawfully seizing his 4-acre agricultural land located in Nighoj, with an estimated market value of approximately Rs10 crore, through a fraudulent loan agreement.
This Marks the Eleventh Legal Case Against the Controversial Astrologer
This latest incident represents the eleventh criminal case filed against Ashok Kharat, who is currently detained in the custody of a special investigation team (SIT) in Nashik in connection with a separate rape allegation. Out of these eleven cases, at least seven are directly related to accusations of rape, where victims allege that Kharat exploited them under the false pretext of utilizing divine powers and black magic. The remaining cases primarily involve various charges of cheating and financial fraud, highlighting a pattern of alleged criminal behavior.
Detailed Account of the Land Deal and Subsequent Fraud
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant, identified as Raosaheb Gondkar, approached Ashok Kharat in August 2023 seeking a substantial loan to settle his existing debts. The two parties entered into a formal agreement for a loan amount of Rs5.52 crore. As security for this loan, Gondkar was compelled to execute a sale deed for his four-acre plot in Nighoj. Simultaneously, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and an agreement to sell were signed, which included a specific clause allowing Gondkar to repurchase his land by August 2024 for a total of Rs6.07 crore.
The complainant further alleged that he initially provided a cheque for Rs51 lakh as an advance payment towards this repurchase agreement. This meant that he would only need to pay the remaining balance of Rs5.56 crore by the August 2024 deadline, along with an additional two percent interest on the principal loan amount. However, over the subsequent months, Gondkar claims he was coerced into making additional payments totaling Rs1.65 crore through individuals named Kiran Sonawane and other associates of Kharat.
Arrests Made and Investigation Intensifies
When Raosaheb Gondkar recently attempted to settle the outstanding balance to reclaim his valuable property, Ashok Kharat allegedly became unresponsive, ceasing all communication and even shutting down his office in Nashik. Based on the detailed FIR, the Shirdi police have taken swift action, arresting two of the accused individuals: Kiran Sonawane and Arvind Bavke. The remaining accused include Ashok Prabhat Tambe and Kalpana Kharat, the astrologer's wife.
Investigations reveal that Kiran Sonawane, also a resident of Nighoj, was originally a friend of the complainant Raosaheb Gondkar. In fact, both individuals approached Ashok Kharat together at his Nashik office to secure the loan, as they were both burdened with significant debts. However, after the initial loan agreement was finalized, Sonawane allegedly obtained eight blank cheques from Gondkar on Kharat's instructions. Through these cheques, a total of Rs1.65 crore was transferred to Sonawane's account, which was then used to make payments to Kharat via his associates. Arvind Bavke and Ashok Tambe are identified as Kharat's close associates who were present during the land deal negotiations.
The Shirdi police confirmed that the two arrested suspects were presented before a local court on Monday. The court has granted the police three days of custody for further interrogation and evidence collection. This case underscores the ongoing legal challenges faced by Ashok Kharat and highlights the serious allegations of financial exploitation and sexual misconduct that have emerged against him.
