Ashok Kharat Sent to 7-Day Custody After Another Victim Files Sexual Assault Case

A court in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Thursday sent self-styled godman Ashok Kharat to seven days of police custody in connection with a second rape case. He is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a woman since 2020 by misleading her in the name of religious practices. Kharat, who was arrested on Wednesday by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), was presented before Chief Judicial Magistrate B N Ichpurani through video conferencing. The court directed that he remain in SIT custody until April 8. According to PTI, the accused had earlier been in judicial custody in a separate rape case and was lodged in Nashik Road Central Jail.

Kharat, a former merchant navy officer, was initially arrested on March 17 after a 35-year-old woman lodged a rape complaint at Sarkarwada police station in Nashik. Based on her statement, a case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. In the second complaint, the survivor alleged that she had known Kharat since 2013, having first approached him on a relative’s suggestion for help with her marriage. Even after she got married, he allegedly stayed in contact under the pretext of resolving her personal and family issues.

The woman, a mother of two, later separated from her husband due to marital problems. She again approached Kharat for guidance regarding her future and possible remarriage, but he allegedly continued exploiting her. As per the complaint, he would call her to his office and sexually assault her under the guise of conducting religious rituals. It is further alleged that when she became pregnant, he administered medication and forced her to undergo an abortion. These acts reportedly continued over a prolonged period, leaving the survivor under constant manipulation and distress.

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According to the complaint, the alleged abuse began in February 2020 and continued with threats to harm the woman and her children if she resisted. She finally approached the police and registered her complaint on March 21 after gathering courage following the emergence of the first case against Kharat. Due to security concerns, Thursday’s hearing was conducted via video conferencing, and the accused was not physically produced in court. During the proceedings, public prosecutor Shailendra Bagde argued that Kharat was not cooperating with the investigation and sought his custody, while defence lawyer Sachin Bhate opposed the request, which was ultimately rejected by the court.

So far, at least ten FIRs have been registered against Kharat, including eight related to alleged sexual assault or exploitation and two linked to cheating. The SIT has also reportedly received over 100 complaints against him through phone calls. Separately, a cheating case connected to a land transaction was filed earlier this week at Shirdi police station in Ahilyanagar district against Kharat and his wife, who is currently absconding. On Wednesday, his son Harshvardhan was detained for questioning from their residence in Karmayogi Nagar, Nashik, and later released.

Kharat, who heads a temple trust in Sinnar in Nashik district, is said to have had interactions with several political figures over the years. Recently, the SIT, along with a forensic team, conducted a search at his office and seized important documents and other materials as evidence. Among the items recovered was a 20-foot remote-controlled mechanical snake, which investigators believe he used to convince followers of possessing supernatural abilities. Authorities are continuing their probe to uncover the full extent of the allegations and any possible involvement of others in the case.