ED Maharashtra Cracks Down on Ashok Kharat in Money Laundering Case; Conducts Raids at Several Locations

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Maharashtra, conducted raids at several locations in Nashik, Pune, and Shirdi on Monday in connection with a money laundering case related to Ashok Kharat, a self-styled religious guru, and people associated with him.

The investigating agency conducted searches at five locations in Nashik and three each in Pune and Shirdi. These places include Kharat’s house and its associated business premises, besides his chartered accountant, Prakash Pophale, family members and branches of some co-operative credit societies.

ED had registered a money laundering case on April 6. This case was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by Nashik Police, in which serious allegations have been made against Ashok Kharat, like extortion, misuse of religious faith, sexual misconduct with women through drugs, etc.

Investigation has revealed that Kharat had opened several bank accounts in two cooperative credit societies of Nashik district, which were in the names of other people. However, the real control of these accounts was with him. He used to make himself a nominee in these accounts and monitor the transactions by linking his mobile number to them.

Preliminary investigation also revealed that he used to sell common items to people by describing them as blessed or miraculous and claiming that they had divine powers. In this way, the money collected from people and extortion money was invested in lands, in which the role of the chartered accountant has also come to light.

Ashok Kharat was arrested by Nashik Police in March. A married woman had accused him of repeatedly raping her for three years. After this arrest, many more cases came to light in the police investigation. Until now, the state police have registered a total of eight FIRs against him. Further investigation has revealed many things like sexual exploitation, land-related transactions, use of fake accounts and other financial irregularities. This matter has now become very serious for the legal and investigating agencies.