Second sexual abuse case lands Kharat back in police custody; SIT flags forced abortion angle

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) told the court that custodial interrogation was crucial to probe the abortion angle,

Pune/Nashik: A Nashik court on Thursday remanded self-styled godman Ashok Kharat to a week’s police custody in a second sexual abuse case, alleging forced termination of pregnancy and sustained coercion. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which arrested Kharat from Nashik Central Jail on Wednesday evening in another case, told the court that custodial interrogation was crucial to probe the abortion angle, source of pills and alleged threats to the survivor.

Nashik, Mar 29 (ANI): Nashik Court grants 3-day police custody of Ashok Kharat, alias 'Bhondu Baba,' accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 35-year-old woman over several years under the pretext of spiritual guidance, in Nashik on Sunday. (ANI Video Grab) (ANI video Grab)

The court of chief judicial magistrate B N Icpurani granted the remand after the prosecution argued that the offences were serious and required detailed investigation. Kharat was already in magisterial custody in an earlier sexual abuse case registered on March 17.

According to the prosecution, the complainant — a married woman and mother of two — had been in contact with Kharat since 2020 over marital issues. The SIT alleged she was repeatedly raped, and that when she became pregnant in January this year, Kharat gave her pills leading to termination of the pregnancy. Investigators said they need to establish how the accused procured the medication.

The prosecution further alleged that Kharat threatened to harm the woman’s children if she refused sexual relations or disclosed the abuse. It also claimed he took money from her for so-called remedies and collected identity documents of her family members, which are now under scrutiny for possible misuse.