top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

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...

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.

Slow Death For 50-Over Cricket

Mumbai: For decades, One-Day International (ODI) cricket occupied a unique space in the sport. Positioned between the endurance and tradition of Test cricket and the high-intensity spectacle of T20s, the 50-over format once represented the ideal balance of strategy, skill and entertainment. It produced some of the game’s most memorable moments, from India’s historic triumphs in the 1983 Cricket World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup to countless dramatic run chases and record-breaking innings that shaped modern cricket.


Yet, in recent years, a growing debate has begun to dominate cricketing circles: is ODI cricket slowly losing relevance? With fewer bilateral series being scheduled, the rapid rise of franchise-based T20 leagues and several prominent former players openly questioning the format’s future, the discussion has moved beyond speculation to become a structural concern for the sport.


Shrinking Space

One of the clearest indicators of ODI cricket’s declining prominence is the reduction in the number of matches played annually. Historically, bilateral tours frequently featured five-match ODI series that often served as the centrepiece of international tours. Today, that structure has largely reversed.


Modern tours increasingly prioritise T20 matches, with ODI series often shortened to three games or removed entirely. Several factors have contributed to this shift. The explosive growth of franchise leagues such as the Indian Premier League and the Big Bash League has dramatically reshaped the sport’s financial and entertainment ecosystem


Scheduling pressures have also been acknowledged by influential cricketing institutions.


The T20 Revolution

Perhaps the most significant disruptor to ODI cricket has been the rapid rise of T20 cricket. Since the inaugural 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the shortest international format has transformed cricket’s global appeal.


T20 matches typically last about three hours, making them more accessible to modern audiences accustomed to faster-paced sports content. For broadcasters and sponsors, the format offers higher entertainment value and greater commercial potential. The shorter duration also allows for more games to be played within tight scheduling windows, increasing revenue opportunities.


Former Players Sound the Alarm

Several former cricketers have publicly expressed concern about the future of the 50-over format.


Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been among the most vocal critics of the current structure. He recently suggested that ODI cricket may struggle to survive beyond the next decade. ‘I am not sure about the future of ODI after the 2027 World Cup. I feel it is going towards slow death,’ Ashwin remarked, pointing to the increasingly crowded cricket calendar.


Similar concerns have been echoed by former England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who offered an even sharper assessment of the format’s current state. ‘The format has almost completely died out, apart from World Cups and Champions Trophy,’ Moeen said, arguing that certain rule changes -- particularly the introduction of two new balls and fielding restrictions -- have tilted the balance heavily in favour of batsmen, reducing the tactical complexity that once defined ODI cricket.’


Such remarks from experienced international players highlight the growing unease about where the format fits within cricket’s rapidly evolving ecosystem.


Structural Challenges Facing the Format

Beyond scheduling pressures, ODI cricket faces several structural issues that critics believe have diluted its appeal.


One concern relates to the loss of tactical balance. Traditionally, ODI innings evolved through clearly defined phases -- cautious consolidation during the early overs, strategic accumulation through the middle overs and aggressive acceleration in the final stages.


However, modern rule changes, such as the use of two new balls from each end, have significantly reduced reverse swing and made conditions more favourable for batting.


Why the World Cup Still Matters

Despite these challenges, one event continues to preserve the prestige of the format: the ODI World Cup. The tournament remains arguably the most historically significant competition in cricket.

 

Evolution Rather Than Extinction

In practical terms, the complete disappearance of ODI cricket appears unlikely in the near future. The format still carries considerable commercial and historical value, particularly through global tournaments.


What seems more probable is a gradual restructuring of the format’s role within international cricket.


A Format at a Crossroads

The debate surrounding ODI cricket reflects a broader transformation within the sport. As cricket adapts to changing audience preferences, commercial pressures and player workloads, maintaining equal prominence for all three formats has become increasingly difficult.


While some former players warn that the 50-over format is heading towards a ‘slow death’, its legacy and the enduring prestige of the World Cup suggest that ODI cricket is more likely to evolve than disappear entirely.


The real question facing the sport may not be whether ODI cricket will survive, but what role it will ultimately play in the future architecture of the game?


Comments

bottom of page