A court in Nashik has remanded self-styled godman Ashok Kharat to judicial custody till April 30 in connection with a fourth case of sexual assault and exploitation of a woman. The court action comes amid widening allegations against Kharat, who is already facing multiple criminal cases across Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts.
According to the prosecution, Kharat was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) B.N. Ichpurani after his custody with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the fourth case ended. Due to security concerns, the hearing was conducted via video conferencing, and the accused was not physically presented in court. After brief proceedings, the court ordered that he be sent to Nashik Road Central Jail under judicial custody.
The SIT had sought further custody of the accused, but the court declined and instead remanded him to judicial custody till April 30. Officials confirmed that the accused will be produced again in court on Sunday in connection with a fifth case, where investigators are likely to seek police custody for further interrogation.
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12 Cases Including 8 Sexual Assault Charges
Kharat is facing at least 12 criminal cases, including eight related to sexual assault and exploitation. Investigators have alleged that multiple women approached him under the belief that he possessed spiritual powers to resolve personal and family issues, but were allegedly exploited in the process.
The latest case pertains to a 35-year-old woman who had approached him for guidance regarding family problems. She later filed a complaint alleging sexual assault and coercion, triggering fresh proceedings against him. The complaint was registered at Sarkarwada police station in Nashik, following which he was arrested on March 17.
Video Conferencing Delays Court Proceedings
During the hearing, procedural delays were reported due to technical issues in initiating video conferencing proceedings. However, the court proceeded with the matter after the delay and accepted the police request for judicial custody.
Officials stated that the SIT is continuing its investigation into multiple complaints registered against the accused. The probe includes allegations of sexual exploitation, criminal intimidation, and financial irregularities linked to individuals associated with his trust.
Kharat reportedly heads a temple trust located in Sinnar area of Nashik district and has had past interactions with several political and social figures. Following his arrest, photographs of the accused with prominent leaders surfaced on social media, sparking a political controversy and public debate over his influence and associations.
Investigators are also examining whether victims were pressured or intimidated into silence, with officials indicating that additional complaints may emerge as the probe expands. Police sources said that statements of several victims are being recorded and corroborated as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the scale of allegations and the number of pending cases against the accused. Law enforcement agencies have stated that the investigation is being conducted in a phased manner, with a focus on collecting forensic evidence and verifying financial and communication records linked to the accused.
Authorities also noted that security arrangements were tightened during court proceedings, considering the sensitivity of the case and the presence of multiple complainants involved in separate cases.
The SIT is expected to continue producing the accused in court as new cases are taken up for custody applications. Officials indicated that further arrests cannot be ruled out if links to accomplices or facilitators are established during the investigation.
The matter remains under active judicial and investigative scrutiny as authorities proceed with multiple cases registered against Ashok Kharat, whose alleged activities have now become one of the most closely monitored criminal investigations in the region.
