SIT exposes dark underworld of lust, greed
Godman sexually exploited vulnerable women with ‘divine power and death’ threat
Mumbai: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sprawling criminal empire of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat held its first press conference on Tuesday signalling a decisive turn in a case that has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra.
Speaking from the center of the investigation, SIT Chief and IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute broke the silence to detail a harrowing pattern of sexual exploitation, massive financial fraud, and the calculated manipulation of faith.
The investigation has now officially expanded to encompass twelve separate criminal cases across the Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts, with the SIT directly managing nine of the most severe charges. This specialized unit, comprised of twenty-four handpicked officers including two Deputy Superintendents and a battery of inspectors, is working against a strict timeline to dismantle what Satpute described as a deeply entrenched “ecosystem” of exploitation.
The sheer scale of the allegations against Kharat, 67, is unprecedented. Of the nine cases currently under SIT jurisdiction, eight involve grave charges of sexual assault against women who sought spiritual guidance but were met with systematic abuse. The remaining cases involve a complex web of cheating, violations of the Anti-Superstition Act, and illegal money lending practices under the 2014 Act.
Theatrical Exploitation
Investigators revealed that the accused would drugged victims with sedative-laced “holy water” or use hypnosis before carrying out assaults, often recording the acts to ensure the victims’ silence through blackmail. Central to Kharat’s modus operandi was the theatrical exploitation of human fear and religious devotion.
During the briefing, Satpute explained how the accused utilised sleight of hand in the deliberate darkness of the temple premises to simulate supernatural occurrences. He used props such as plastic snakes, tiger skins, and enchanted stones to convince followers of his divine powers. By instilling a paralyzing fear of impending family deaths or social ruin, he coerced victims into surrendering both their bodies and their life savings. The SIT has already interviewed over thirty witnesses whose testimonies paint a portrait of a man who viewed the spiritual vulnerability of others as a lucrative business model.
Bank Accounts
Preliminary findings have uncovered a staggering network of over one hundred and thirty bank accounts linked to Kharat and his associates, through which transactions exceeding sixty-three crore rupees were funnelled. Many of these accounts were allegedly opened in the names of unsuspecting individuals or family members of high-profile associates to mask the origin of the funds.
Predatory Loan
Reports suggest that much of this real estate was acquired through predatory loan agreements and the fraudulent seizure of ancestral lands from local farmers.
The investigation is also pivoting toward the influential network that allowed Kharat to operate with impunity for years. Satpute addressed growing public and political speculation regarding Kharat’s ties to high-ranking officials and politicians, whose photographs with the accused have circulated widely on social media. She clarified that the SIT is meticulously following every lead provided by complainants and witnesses to determine if these figures played a role in facilitating his crimes or shielding him from legal consequences.
The “ecosystem” that sustained this fraudulent godman is being treated as a secondary but vital layer of the criminal inquiry, with Satpute asserting that no one found to be a co-conspirator will be spared from legal action.
The SIT aims to submit a comprehensive charge sheet within the next 40 days, as they continue to seek extended custody of Kharat to uncover the full extent of his dark legacy.
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