Police have filed eight FIRs against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat after receiving numerous complaints alleging sexual assault, extortion and spreading objectionable material, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday (March 24, 2026).
Also read | Kharat case: SIT probe to intensify; a temple priest, a watchman among the interrogated
Mr. Fadnavis, who has representation in the legislature, said the Nashik-based Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe the cases against Kharat will also probe the possible involvement of government officials in the crimes.
“A total of eight FIRs have been lodged against Kharat. He was in police custody till today (Tuesday) and we got an extension (till March 29 from the Nashik court) for further investigation. Seven of these cases are with the SIT. I have submitted a preliminary report to the House,” he said.
He said the first case came to light on 19 December 2025 when Mr. Kharat himself filed a police complaint in Nashik district where he alleged that one Dinesh Manaji Parab had threatened to release an objectionable video involving the complainant and a woman unless he was paid ₹5 million.
The police registered a case under the IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section 308 (extortion) after examining phone call records, messages and screenshots.
Mr. Fadnavis said another complaint was filed on February 18, 2026 in Shirdi in Ahilyanagar district where a woman alleged that one Neeraj Jadhav had created and shared an AI-generated image of her and threatened to make it viral.
“Although the accused deleted the picture, he threatened. A case was registered, but the complainant did not provide essential details,” he told the House of Representatives.
During the investigation of the second case, the police recovered crucial evidence from facilities linked to Kharat’s aides.
“During the investigation of Jadhav, Kharat’s associate Yogesh Bhalerao showed several videos. The police found that as many as 35 videos of eight women were stored in the mobile phone,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
He alleged that Mr Kharat posed as a religious figure to exploit women.
“Kharat presented himself as a self-proclaimed godman and indulged in rape and obscene behavior with women. One of the witnesses who tried to present evidence feared for his life from Kharat,” the chief minister said.
Mr. Fadnavis informed the assembly that a circular was issued against Mr. Kharat on March 10 to prevent him from leaving the country and that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted to probe the cases against him.
On March 17, the woman filed a complaint at the Sarkarwada police station in Nashik, alleging that she was called to Mr Kharat’s office in the ‘Canada Corner’ building, given water and later threatened her husband’s life before being raped several times, the CM alleged.
“Kharat was arrested on March 17. During searches, police seized two laptops, one revolver and 21 live cartridges and found that he owned a farm in Mirgaon in Nashik district,” Fadnavis said, adding that the investigation of the ‘godman’ was formally handed over to the SIT on March 19.
“Three women have agreed to file complaints and a total of six cases (related to sexual assault and exploitation) have been filed in this regard so far. All photos and videos (related to the cases) have been removed from social media and a notice has been sent to the news channel to reveal the identity of the survivors,” he said.
In the details of one of the cases, Mr Fadnavis said that between February 2020 and March 18, Kharat allegedly repeatedly called the woman to his office, forced her to consume “enchanted water” and sexually assaulted her under the guise of religious rituals.
“She got pregnant and Kharat later gave her abortion pills. He also threatened her,” the CM said.
The chief minister said the SIT will also look into the possible involvement of government officials in the cases filed against the accused.
“We will also probe whether any (government) officials are involved in these cases. We will find out whether Kharat has amassed assets in the names of his relatives or close aides,” he said.
Responding to a query by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav on when the names of the officials would be released, Mr Fadnavis said: “We have deliberately entrusted the SIT investigation to an officer with a good track record. Every evidence will be recorded and all those involved will face prosecution.”
Published – 25 March 2026 10:59 IST
