Associate of Jailed Astrologer Killed in Highway Crash, Opposition Raises Suspicion
In a tragic incident on Friday, Jitendra Shelke (50), a close associate of jailed astrologer Ashok Kharat, and his wife Anuradha (45) died when their car rammed a slow-moving truck on the Samruddhi Highway in Kopargaon taluka of Ahilyanagar district. Their 14-year-old son, Sujit, sustained critical injuries and is currently admitted to a hospital in Shirdi, according to police reports.
Details of the Accident
The Shelke family was traveling from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar when the accident occurred around 12:30 PM, merely a couple of kilometers from Shirdi. The collision took place on the highway before the interchange at Dhotre, with Jitendra Shelke behind the wheel of the car.
Kopargaon rural police inspector Sandip Koli stated that the truck driver fled the scene immediately after the crash. Authorities are actively investigating the precise circumstances that led to this fatal accident, examining all possible factors including road conditions and vehicle speeds.
Shelke's Connection to Controversial Astrologer
Jitendra Shelke was a prominent businessman from Shirdi and maintained close ties with Ashok Kharat through the Shree Shiwnika Sansthan, an organization founded by Kharat. Shelke had risen to become the vice-president of this institution, though police confirmed he was not indicted in any of the multiple cases against Kharat.
Ashok Kharat (67) currently remains incarcerated in a Nashik jail, facing serious charges including rape and fraud. His legal troubles have drawn significant public and political attention, making any developments in his circle subject to intense scrutiny.
Political Reactions and Suspicion
The accident has sparked immediate suspicion among opposition leaders, who question whether this was merely a tragic coincidence or something more sinister.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar took to social media platform X to express his concerns, writing: "The death of Jitendra Shelke, the associate of Ashok Kharat and VP of Shiwnika Sansthan, in a tragic accident is extremely shocking. One can't help but suspect whether this accident was orchestrated so that Kharat's other unrevealed misdeeds don't come to light and no one gets into trouble over them."
Pawar further emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the accident while also calling for enhanced security measures for Kharat himself, noting that many sensitive matters might surface during ongoing inquiries into his activities.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare described the incident as "unbelievable" and revealed that there had been apprehensions for days about potential threats to individuals connected to the Kharat case. "The incident only strengthens that suspicion. If the SIT does not expedite the probe, doubts will only deepen. This raises serious questions on the system," she asserted.
Recent Questioning and Investigation Developments
Adding to the suspicious circumstances, social activist Anjali Damania pointed out that Jitendra Shelke had been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) just three days before his death. "He was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate just three days ago, and now he dies in an accident," Damania noted, highlighting the troubling timing.
In related developments on Friday, ED officials conducted a search operation at a commercial complex at Canada Corner in Nashik city, where Ashok Kharat previously operated. The search lasted over three hours as part of the ongoing investigation into the charges against the controversial astrologer.
The tragic accident has thus become intertwined with a larger political and legal narrative, raising questions that extend beyond mere road safety to potential conspiracies in a high-profile criminal case.
