Ahilyanagar Police Issue Lookout Circular for Astrologer's Wife in Land Cheating Case
Nashik: In a significant development in a high-profile cheating case, the Ahilyanagar police have formally issued a lookout circular (LOC) for Kalpana, the wife of controversial astrologer Ashok Kharat. This action comes after authorities failed to locate her in connection with a serious cheating case registered at the Shirdi police station on March 31.
Police Suspect Attempt to Flee the Country
Law enforcement officials suspect that Kalpana might be attempting to flee the country to evade arrest. Acting on this critical assessment, the Shirdi police sought and obtained approval from Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge to issue the formal lookout notice. Subsequently, on Thursday, the SP sent official communication to airport authorities to initiate the LOC, effectively alerting all exit points to prevent her from leaving India.
Multiple Arrests Made in the Case
The Shirdi police have already made significant progress in the investigation, arresting two accused named in the First Information Report (FIR): Kiran Sonawane and Arvind Bavake. Meanwhile, Ashok Kharat himself remains in the custody of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is probing multiple cases registered against him.
"Sonawane and Bavake were produced before a court in Ahilyanagar in connection with offences of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and illegal money lending registered on March 31 against Kharat, Kalpana, the duo, and another person," a police officer confirmed. "The court extended their police custody by three additional days to facilitate further investigation."
Alleged Land Usurpation Worth Crores
The case originates from a complaint filed by a 55-year-old farmer from Rahata, who has alleged that astrologer Ashok Kharat usurped his four-acre land in Nighoj, valued at approximately Rs 10 crore, under the pretext of a loan agreement. Based on this FIR, Sonawane and Bavake were arrested on March 31 and remanded to police custody until Friday.
During a recent court hearing, Special Assistant Public Prosecutor G V Borde sought a further five-day extension of their custody, citing the complexity of the financial investigation. Borde informed the court that the investigation had uncovered a conspiracy in which the accused induced the complainant into a land transaction and collected around Rs 5.52 crore, which was allegedly misappropriated.
Complex Financial Web Uncovered
The prosecutor revealed that multiple bank accounts were opened and operated across various banks and cooperative societies, through which substantial sums of money were transferred and diverted. The probe has also pointed to illegal money-lending activities conducted without a valid license, adding another layer to the alleged criminal enterprise.
Borde further submitted that continued police custody was essential to recover crucial documents, including bank records, cheque books, passbooks, and electronic evidence related to the transactions. Investigators are actively tracing the flow of more than Rs 5 crore transferred through various accounts and identifying all beneficiaries involved in the scheme.
Scrutiny of Over 100 Fake Accounts
According to the Ahilyanagar police, more than 100 fake or 'benami' bank accounts are currently under intense scrutiny. "Though the accounts were held in the names of different individuals, Ashok Kharat was listed as the nominee and his mobile number was linked to the accounts," another officer disclosed, highlighting the central role Kharat allegedly played in the financial network.
Transactions exceeding Rs 60 crore were routed through these accounts between 2021 and 2024, police officials stated. Investigations are ongoing to determine the ultimate destination of these substantial funds and to unravel the complete extent of the alleged financial fraud.
