Self-styled godman, numerologist and astrologer "Captain" Ashok Kharat from Nashik has been arrested by the Nashik Crime Branch and Sarkarwada Police on serious charges of rape and sexual exploitation of a 35-year-old woman, allegedly committed under the guise of religious rituals and occult practices. Investigators have seized around 58 objectionable videos from his office, and multiple Marathi outlets report that these videos appear to feature several women, including politically connected figures and celebrities, prompting concerns of wider exploitation and potential blackmail.
Complaint and Case Registration
A 35-year-old woman approached the Sarkarwada Police Station in Nashik alleging that astrologer Ashok Kumar Eknath Kharat, known as "Captain", repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted her over a prolonged period while claiming to perform religious and occult rituals to resolve her personal problems.
Following her detailed complaint, an FIR was registered at Sarkarwada Police Station, and the Nashik Crime Branch Unit 1 took over the investigation due to the seriousness and potential sensitivity of the case.
Arrest Operation
Nashik Crime Branch personnel detained Kharat in the early hours (around 3 a.m.) of 18 March after the case was registered, and he was formally arrested soon thereafter.
Initial reports specify that he was picked up in Nashik and that searches were conducted at his Canada Corner office, a prominent, upscale locality from which he ran his numerology and astrology practice.
Production Before Court and Custody
After his arrest, Kharat was produced before the Nashik District and Sessions Court, where the prosecution sought his remand for custodial interrogation based on the seriousness of the allegations and the digital evidence seized.
The court remanded him to police custody until 24 March, giving investigators roughly a week to interrogate him, examine seized devices and videos, identify other potential victims and verify the presence of influential individuals in the footage.
Legal Charges and Applicable Sections
Media reports indicate that the case has been registered under serious sections dealing with rape and sexual assault; one detailed Marathi report notes that the police have invoked provisions under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 64(1), 74, 352 and 351(1), which broadly cover rape, criminal intimidation, assault and related offences (terminology varying slightly by outlet).