Kamal Ghorui
Authorities are intensifying their probe into self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, detaining his son for questioning and searching for his wife.
NASHIK/SHIRDI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing multiple cases against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat on Tuesday detained his son in Nashik for questioning and launched a search for his wife Kalpana, who remains untraceable, as reported by news agency PTI.Kharat, currently in police custody, is expected to be produced before a local court after his remand ends on Wednesday.
Officials said the SIT reached Kharat’s residence in Karmayogi Nagar and detained his son, Harshvardhan, who was later taken to the Maharashtra Police Academy for questioning. The move comes as the probe widens, with police stating that more than 100 complaints have been received against Kharat and at least 10 FIRs — including multiple cases of sexual exploitation and cheating — have been registered at Sarkarwada police station in Nashik.In a significant development, Shirdi police in Ahilyanagar district have registered a fresh case of cheating, criminal breach of trust and illegal money lending against Kharat, his wife Kalpana, and three others for allegedly usurping a four-acre land parcel in Nighoj, valued at around Rs 10 crore.The case is based on a complaint filed by Raosaheb Gondkar, a 55-year-old resident of Rahata. According to police, Gondkar had approached Kharat in August 2023 seeking a loan of Rs 5.52 crore to clear existing debts. As part of the agreement, he was required to execute a sale deed of his land as security, along with a memorandum of understanding and an agreement to sell, which allowed him to repurchase the property by August 2024 for Rs 6.07 crore.The complainant stated that he initially paid Rs 51 lakh as advance towards the repurchase and was required to repay the remaining amount with 2% interest. However, he alleged that over the following months he was pressured into making additional payments of Rs 90 lakh, Rs 25 lakh and Rs 50 lakh through intermediaries linked to Kharat.Investigators said that when Gondkar later attempted to settle the remaining dues and reclaim his land, Kharat allegedly stopped responding to calls and shut his Nashik-based office.Police have arrested two accused — Kiran Sonawane and Arvind Bawake — who were produced before a court and remanded to three days of police custody. Another accused, Ashok Prabhat Tambe, along with Kalpana, is absconding.According to the FIR, Sonawane, who was known to Gondkar, allegedly facilitated the loan arrangement and collected eight blank cheques from him. Using these, around Rs 1.65 crore was transferred to his account and routed to Kharat’s associates. Police said Sonawane and Gondkar had initially approached Kharat together as both were facing financial distress.Officials added that this is the 11th case registered against Kharat. At least seven cases involve allegations of sexual exploitation under the pretext of supernatural claims, while the remaining relate to cheating and financial fraud. The investigation is ongoing.
