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The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing rape, quality sacrifice and achromatic magic charges against arrested Merchant Navy officer-turned self-styled astrologer and godman Ashok Kharat connected Sunday (March 22, 2026) questioned the clergyman of Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple, with which the accused is linked, and a watchman successful Nashik, officials said.
A time earlier, a staffer of Kharat's bureau was questioned for much than 7 hours by the SIT led by Indian Police Service serviceman Tejaswini Satpute, they added.
Kharat was arrested connected March 18 for rape and different offences connected the ailment of a 35-year-old woman. She alleged Kharat raped her respective times implicit a play of 3 years.
Since then, the probe has revealed the alleged powerfulness Kharat wielded among a acceptable of governmental leaders arsenic good arsenic transactions linked to onshore successful Sinnar and immoderate different areas successful Nashik district.
"On Sunday (March 22), the SIT squad questioned Pramod Gadakh, caretaker clergyman of the Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple successful Mirgaon, and a watchman. On Saturday (March 21), it had interrogated Neeraj Jadhav, staffer astatine Kharat's office, for 7 hours successful transportation with a lawsuit registered astatine Shirdi constabulary station," the authoritative said.
The authoritative said CCTV DVRs person been seized arsenic portion of the probe from Kharat's Mirgaon farmhouse, Tikde Colony bungalow and Canada Corner office.
The authoritative said Kharat is named successful respective cases filed astatine Vavi, Shirdi and Sarkarwada constabulary stations for alleged extortion, blackmail, rape and achromatic magic practices.
He has been charged nether Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act for allegedly threatening to circulate photographs of a 24-year-old woman, the authoritative said.
The lawsuit registered astatine Sarkarwada constabulary presumption stems from a woman's ailment accusing Kharat of rape, quality sacrifice and achromatic magic. He has been booked nether BNS and Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and different Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices Act, the authoritative added.
Incidentally, Kharat himself has filed a ailment against 2 persons astatine Vavi constabulary presumption accusing them of blackmailing him implicit obscene photos. The lawsuit has been registered nether BNS and IT Act, the authoritative said.
Investigators are reaching retired to imaginable victims and much cases are expected to beryllium registered against Kharat successful the days to come, helium said.
Sources successful Nashik said 3 women person approached police. Allegations of Kharat and his kin possessing documents of 52 properties are besides being probed, they added.
In a related development, authorities Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil connected Saturday (March 21) cancelled a 2020 Government Resolution (GR) allowing Kharat-linked Shivanik Sansthan spot successful Mirgaon to assistance 3.9 cardinal litres of Darna Dam h2o regular for "drinking purposes". It is alleged that Kharat diverted this h2o to his mango orchards.
Vikhe Patil has besides ordered a probe into the antecedents of the GR that led to Kharat's spot getting dam water.
Meanwhile, officials said residents of Kharat's autochthonal Mirgaon are aggravated astatine the mode the estimation of the colony has got "tarnished", with immoderate of them seeking "capital punishment" for the accused.
They besides sought seizure of Kharat's properties and handover of the temple his spot runs to residents.
Earlier successful the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said a high-level enquiry nether the manager wide of constabulary (DGP) is underway successful the lawsuit involving Kharat and asserted nary 1 volition beryllium spared.
Mr. Fadnavis further said that portion efforts are underway to politicise this case, radical who person grounds to enactment their allegations should travel guardant and cooperate with the police.
