Human sacrifices suspected; five bullets missing

Mumbai: In a high-voltage courtroom packed with tension, the Nashik Sessions Court extended the police custody of fake godman Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat till March 29, as investigators sought time to probe shocking leads pointing at suspected human sacrifices and huge wealth besides the alleged sexual exploitation crimes.

In a startling revelation, the police said that they recovered a black revolver with 21 bullets from his Mirgaon farmhouse, but five shells are missing. The Public Prosecutor Ajay Missar said that this, coupled with other circumstantial evidence has raised suspicions of possible human sacrifice, though it has yet to be confirmed.

Kharat, 67, his face covered in a black cloth, was produced before the court at 3:50 pm, when the courtroom was crowded with lawyers, activists and commoners, while firebrand women’s leader Trupti Desai staged a noisy protest outside.

The Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a statement in the Assembly on the Bhondu baba scam that has rocked the state polity for the past week with sensational details emerging daily in the investigations.

Sedative Substances

In Nashik, seeking extension of Kharat’s custody, the SIT IO Kiran K. Suryanshi informed the court details of the probe so far. He said that Kharat’s victims were given pedhas, crystal sugar and water after which they experienced nausea, pointing to sedative-laced substances which need to be traced.

The police also seized Rs. 6.53 lakhs in cash, two laptops and a DVR, the mobile phones of the accused and his associates are being investigated to determine the number of targeted victims, and the financial trail of his dealings of the globe-trotting Kharat, who is facing a total of 8 cases, including 6 lodged by his victims in different police stations.

Snakes’ Use

The prosecution said that the SIT wants to probe allegations that Kharat used cobras, snakes and tigers to proclaim himself as a ‘Siddha Purush’ with supernatural powers during his rituals. A pen drive with videos of his victims also needs to be probed and confirmed, besides recovering deleted data from his mobile phone and other devices through Forensic experts.

The sleuths have to dig out if these creatures were real or dummies, and whether wildlife laws are violated. He allegedly distributed the rare musk (Kasturi) suggesting illegal exploitation of the wildlife for his illicit activities, and details of his associates and accomplices in these crimes.

Opposing the plea for further custody, Kharat’s lawyer said that the investigation has already run for seven days, the police have recovered videos, electronic devices, cash and weapon, no additional evidence including a purported pen drive are officially recorded, and hence the probe can continue without his further police remand.

During the proceedings, Kharat was seen standing with his head bowed, staring at his hands, without displaying emotions or making eye contact with anybody.

When the court asked him for his version, he merely said: “I have no knowledge of snakes or tigers, hearing it for the first time. I only visited the temple occasionally during festivals when there were around a 100 people present. I have answered all the questions during the interrogation.”

After hearing both sides, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Patil granted extension of Kharat’s custody by five more days till March 29, to enable the SIT probe the remaining angles.

Cops bar media

Considering the sensitivity of the sensational case, through Sahyog portal, the SIT has approached social Media like Instagram, YouTube or Facebook to delete or strike down photos/videos that could violate the privacy of Kharat’s victims.

Television channels which telecast such videos have been slapped with notices of warning proceedings under the BNSS Act, Sec. 72(1), after which several news outlets have complied.

Kharat is facing a total eight cases, including five from the victims comprising those in some alleged videos that went viral, one through a victim’s relative and 2 other related matters, which the STI is probing from multiple angles.