Jitendra Shelke, a close associate of Nashik 'Godman' Ashok Kharat and his wife, were killed in a car accident on Samruddhi Mahamarg, also known as Mumbai–Nagpur Expressway on Friday, April 17. According to information, the accident took place when the car they were travelling in from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Shirdi rammed into a parked container near Dhotre village on Samruddhi Mahamarg.
Shelke is also a vice-president of Ashok Kharat’s Shivanika Trust. According to initial information, Shelke was travelling with his family when the car crashed into the rear of a container parked along the roadside. The impact was severe, leaving the vehicle completely mangled.
Visuals From Accident Site
Shelke’s wife and son sustained serious injuries in the accident. His son was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. His wife remained trapped inside the vehicle for a considerable time, with rescue teams working to extricate her.
Jitendra Shelke was a known associate of Ashok Kharat, who has been in the news in recent days over allegations of sexual exploitation and fraud involving several women. Shelke was serving as vice-president of Kharat’s Shivanika Trust and was reportedly associated with some of Kharat’s business interests.
Reports suggest Shelke had been under stress since Kharat’s arrest. Further investigation into the accident is underway.
Meanwhile, NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar suspected the planned murder of Shelke. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Pawar said it is "extremely shocking" and suspects whether this accident was planned.
"The death of Jitendra Shelke, the associate of Shivnika Institute's Vice President and Bhondu Ashok Kharat, in a tragic accident is extremely shocking. One can't help but suspect whether this accident was orchestrated so that Bhondu's other unrevealed misdeeds don't come to light and no one gets into trouble over them," a rough translation of Rohit Pawar's X post in Marathi.
"A thorough investigation of this accident must be conducted. Moreover, since many matters are likely to surface in the inquiry into Bhondu Kharat as well, his safety must also be ensured," he added.