A magistrate's court in Sinnar on Monday remanded astrologer Ashok Kharat and Namkaran Aware, the former head of a co-operative credit society, to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with a fraud case involving the society.
Background of the Case
Namkaran Aware, who previously led the Shri Jagdamba Mata Gramin Bigar Sheti Sahakari Pat Sanstha, was also placed in police custody until May 18 by Judicial Magistrate First Class LC Wadikar. The arrests stem from an investigation into the mismanagement of the co-operative credit society.
Details of the Fraud
Police Inspector Hemantkumar Bhamre stated that between August 2016 and October 2023, Kharat and Aware, serving as directors, allegedly opened 32 bogus accounts. Investigators claimed that the duo bypassed standard procedures to move large sums of money through these fraudulent accounts.
Arrests and Additional Cases
Kharat was initially arrested on May 12, followed by Aware's detention the next day. A senior Nashik Rural Police official revealed that Kharat is facing a separate case involving allegations of fraud and black magic. In this instance, a grocery shop owner alleged that between 2003 and 2004, Kharat and his associates, including his wife, illegally seized 16.5 acres of land by registering it under the names of the complainant's own family members.
While the Sinnar police intend to seek Kharat's custody for the land-grab case later, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is expected to take him into custody first to investigate a money-laundering case registered against him.
Criminal History of Ashok Kharat
Ashok Kharat has a significant criminal history, with a total of 17 cases registered against him across Nashik city, Nashik district, and Ahilyanagar. His record includes 8 cases related to sexual offences against women, 9 cases involving fraud and violations of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.
