The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating multiple cases of sexual harassment, cheating, and extortion against astrologer Ashok Kharat submitted chargesheets in two cases to a court in Nashik on Wednesday. The SIT is also seeking a fast-track court to ensure a speedy trial in these matters.
A senior officer involved in the investigations told TOI, "There are nine cases against Kharat that the SIT is investigating. Eight of these cases are related to the sexual harassment of women, and one case is related to cheating a businessman. As of now, the SIT has filed chargesheets in two cases of sexual harassment. Chargesheets in the next six cases will be filed over the next three days."
Apart from these nine cases, the SIT is probing one case each registered by the Sinnar and the Shirdi police. "We have filed a final summary for closure of these two cases with the respective courts in Sinnar and Rahata as our investigation revealed no prosecutable evidence," the officer said.
"In cases involving crimes against women, the chargesheet has to be filed within 60 days from the day when a complaint is filed. The first case was registered on March 17, and accordingly, the SIT has filed one chargesheet of 750 pages and the other of 400 pages," he added.
The SIT was instituted by the state government under IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute to investigate the allegations against Kharat, who is now facing charges related to sexual harassment, cheating, fraud, and various sections of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. The SIT includes two deputy superintendents as investigating officers, three inspectors as assistant investigation officers, three assistant inspectors, 10 sub-inspectors, and six police personnel.
There are now a total of 17 complaints filed against Ashok Kharat in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts. The SIT is investigating nine complaints, three each being investigated by Ahilyanagar police and Nashik city police, and two by Nashik Rural police.
