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The Enforcement Directorate has received permission from a special PMLA court in Mumbai to arrest self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in connection with an alleged INR 70 crore money laundering case. Kharat, who is already in judicial custody in Nashik jail in separate rape and fraud cases, is accused of operating an extortion network and routing funds through multiple benami bank accounts. The ED has alleged that money collected from victims through religious manipulation and the sale of so-called “blessed” products was used to acquire properties in his and his family members’ names. Authorities are also probing possible wider financial links and additional beneficiaries.
A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai has allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in an alleged INR 70 crore money laundering case linked to extortion and financial fraud. Advertisement
Kharat, who is already lodged in Nashik jail under judicial custody in separate criminal cases, was brought before the court through a production warrant. The ED sought permission to formally arrest him in the money laundering case, which the court approved. The agency is expected to complete legal formalities and produce him before the court to seek custodial remand.
The central agency had registered its case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after taking cognisance of a Nashik Police FIR filed against Kharat earlier this year. The FIR included allegations of extortion, religious manipulation and drug-facilitated assault involving multiple women victims.
Apart from the money laundering allegations, Kharat is also facing several FIRs related to rape and sexual exploitation. He was arrested by Nashik Police earlier this year after a married woman accused him of repeatedly raping her over a period of three years.
According to the ED, Kharat allegedly operated a large extortion racket and routed over INR 70 crore through several benami bank accounts. Investigators alleged that many of these accounts were opened using documents of victims without their knowledge or permission.
The agency claimed that Kharat had opened nearly 60 accounts in a single day at the Samata Nagari Cooperative Credit Society in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district. These accounts were allegedly used to conduct transactions exceeding INR 70 crore.
The ED informed the court that Kharat’s custody was necessary to investigate the larger conspiracy, identify the final beneficiaries and trace the complete money trail. The agency also told the court that some financial transactions could have possible cross-border links, which are currently under examination.
Investigators have further alleged that Kharat purchased movable and immovable assets in his own name and in the names of family members using funds generated through extortion. The ED also alleged that he collected money from followers by selling ordinary products such as tamarind seeds and honey after presenting them as spiritually blessed items.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is separately probing 12 cases registered against Kharat in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts. These cases involve allegations of sexual exploitation, cheating and financial fraud. Authorities are continuing to examine financial records, property transactions and account operations connected to the case.
Source PTI
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