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Nashik ‘godman’ Ashok Kharat sent to judicial custody till April 14
Special Investigation Team (SIT) plans to re-arrest him soon in connection with a separate sexual abuse case, a senior official involved in the probe confirmed.
Pune/Nashik: A Nashik court on Wednesday remanded self-styled ‘godman’ Ashok Kharat to judicial custody till April 14. While he remains in jail, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) plans to re-arrest him soon in connection with a separate sexual abuse case, a senior official involved in the probe confirmed.
Kharat was produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate BN Ichpurani amid tight security. Assistant public prosecutor Shailendra Bagade said the SIT sought judicial custody, which the court granted. “The court has also permitted his transfer in connection with another sexual abuse case,” Bagade said.
SIT investigating officer Kiran Kumar Suryavanshi said the probe is ongoing.
Kharat was arrested on March 18 after a 35-year-old woman accused him of repeated rape over a period of three years. Subsequently, seven more women came forward with similar allegations.
In addition, three cases of cheating and fraud have been registered against him by two businessmen from Pune and Ahilyanagar and a farmer from Shirdi.
After the hearing, Kharat was taken to Nashik Civil Hospital for a medical examination and later lodged in Nashik Central Jail.
SIT sources said Kharat is likely to be arrested again in a second sexual abuse case involving a married woman who had approached him for help over marital issues.
“He may be produced before the court again to seek fresh police custody,” a source said.
The woman has alleged that Kharat raped her repeatedly over five years since 2020 and forced her to terminate a pregnancy.
“We will soon arrest him in this case and seek police remand,” an SIT official said.
Two teams formed to trace Kharat’s wife, aide
Shirdi police in Ahilyanagar have formed two teams to trace Kharat’s wife, Kalpana and aide Ashok Tambe, who are absconding in a cheating case.
An FIR was registered against five persons, including Kharat, his wife, Kiran Sonawane, Arvind Bawke and Tambe, following a cheating complaint by farmer Raosaheb Gondkar.
Police have arrested Sonawane and Bawke, who were remanded to police custody on Tuesday.
“Kalpana and Tambe are absconding. A team visited Kharat’s residence in Nashik city last night but could not find her. We will nab them soon,” a police officer said.
Police had also detained Kharat’s son briefly for questioning but later released him.
