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ED gets nod to arrest self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in probe into Rs 70 crore ‘extorted from victims’

Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman arrested by the police following multiple sexual assault complaints, was brought from Nashik jail after a special court issued a production warrant for him on ED’s plea.

Ashok Kharat ED caseED is expected to arrest self-styled godman Ashok Kharat (second from right) in a few hours. (File Photo)

A Mumbai court granted the Enforcement Directorate permission to arrest self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in connection with a Rs 70-crore money laundering investigation after he was produced in the court on Tuesday.

Kharat, who was arrested by the police in March following multiple sexual assault complaints, was brought from Nashik jail after a special court issued a production warrant for him on ED’s plea.

“Production of Mr Ashok Kharat is… necessary to identify the ultimate beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime who have acquired, possessed and utilised the proceeds of crime. Further, he is the main person who extorted the money from the victims spanning across Maharashtra through religious manipulation,” the ED plea for his production said.

Kharat is expected to be arrested in a few hours, after ED completes mandatory formalities, including informing him about the grounds of arrest.

Special public prosecutor Arvind Aghav, appearing for ED, submitted to the court that Kharat’s custody was necessary to investigate the trail of the proceeds of crime.

ED informed the court that during searches conducted at Kharat’s residential and office premises in April, documents related to real estate businesses and properties were found and that they were being scrutinised to trace the money trail.

ED further said that Kharat had extorted huge amounts of money from his “devotees/victims” and that his custody was needed to investigate others linked with him. It said the godman had invested money collected from his victims in real estate, either in his own name or that of his family members.

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Kharat had allegedly opened 60 bank accounts in the names of various individuals, with his own mobile number linked to them and with him as the sole nominee. ED said the investigation showed that Kharat got 43 accounts opened in one day with a co-operative credit society in 2021. These accounts were opened using documents of “devotees” and others, without their consent, with transactions of more than Rs 70 crore seen in them, it alleged.

The other FIRs against Kharat, registered at various police stations, claim that victims were duped through deceptive practices and the sale of items with purported “divine healing powers”, like wild tamarind seeds, at a high value.

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise  Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

 

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