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The apprehension of Ashok Kharat, a self-proclaimed godman, successful Nashik connected March 18, 2026, for the alleged rape of a 27-year-old pistillate has sparked a governmental contention successful Maharashtra.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating allegations of rape, quality sacrifice, and achromatic magic against the 67-year-old erstwhile Merchant Navy officer-turned-astrologer, has been collecting grounds and signaling witnesser statements.
Several governmental leaders and societal activists person besides accused Kharat of having alleged connections with salient politicians and bureaucrats successful the State.
Here are the database of events that led to the governmental unrest successful Maharashtra:
Self-styled godman charged of intersexual assault
On March 17, 2026, a 27-year-old pistillate filed a ailment that led to the constabulary registering an FIR against Kharat, who posed arsenic a godman and influential astrologer successful Nashik. He was charged nether Sections 64 (rape) and 69 (sexual intercourse done deceitful means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, arsenic good arsenic Section 3 of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and different Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
He was arrested connected March 18, 2026. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) acceptable up by the State authorities and 2 dedicated helplines were created to assistance the victims travel guardant and rise their complaints. A elder authoritative said that the probe squad received an mean of 15 to 20 telephone calls daily.
Probe intensifies
The SIT investigating allegations of rape, quality sacrifice, and achromatic magic against Kharat, connected March 22, interrogated the clergyman of the Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple, with which Kharat is associated, arsenic good arsenic a watchman successful Nashik, according to officials.
Kharat is implicated successful aggregate cases filed astatine the Vavi, Shirdi and Sarkarwada constabulary stations, involving accusations of extortion, blackmail, rape, and occult practices. Around 12 cases person been registered truthful far, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Sources bespeak that 3 women person travel guardant to the constabulary with complaints. There are besides ongoing investigations into claims that Kharat and his household person documents for 52 properties.
Authorities are considering seizing Kharat’s assets and transferring power of the temple managed by his spot to residents. Investigators are actively reaching retired to imaginable victims and further cases against Kharat are anticipated successful the adjacent future.
Political links
Leaders from the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi criticised the Mahayuti leaders for their alleged adjacent connections to the accused.
Social activistic Anjali Damania claimed that apical politicians, including Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Sanjay Shirsat, Uddhav Thackeray’s adjacent adjutant Milind Narvekar, were connected the dialling database of Kharat. She besides claimed determination were conversations with NCP authorities president Sunil Tatkare, BJP ministers Chandrakant Patil and Ashish Shelar.
Facing flak implicit her relation with Kharat, Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Rupali Chakankar connected March 20 tendered her resignation.
Ms. Chakankar’s photos and videos showing her washing his feet and holding an umbrella for him had gone viral connected societal media.
Several leaders, including Congress person Vijay Wadettiwar, said her resignation unsocial was not capable and demanded enactment against the “big fish” associated with the accused.
However, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam said that nationalist leaders bash not ever cognize the inheritance of the radical they are photographed and videographed with successful public.
ED probe initiated
On April 5, Mr. Fadnavis announced that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would investigate the assets of Mr. Kharat. Mr. Fadnavis emphasised that an probe volition besides beryllium conducted into the leak of telephone item records (CDR) that allegedly uncover connection betwixt Mr. Kharat and definite governmental figures successful the State.
He stated, “The leak of telephone information records successful the Ashok Kharat lawsuit volition beryllium probed and strict enactment would beryllium taken. No 1 has the close to entree telephone information records, lone authorised agencies whitethorn bash so. How this information was leaked and by whom volition beryllium investigated by the State government.” The Chief Minister highlighted that successful delicate cases, specified allegations are insufficient, and that actions volition beryllium taken based connected coagulated evidence.
