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The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing rape accused and self-styled godman Ashok Kharat has received more than 50 calls in the past five days providing information or reporting crimes he allegedly committed, officials said on Friday.
Also read | Kharat case: SIT probe to intensify; a temple priest, a watchman among the interrogated
The Maharashtra government-appointed SIT had earlier released two mobile phone numbers for citizens to share information related to Kharat or report any offense committed by him, they said.
Police have so far registered eight FIRs against Nashik-based Kharat after receiving several complaints regarding allegations of sexual assault, extortion and dissemination of objectionable material.
Kharat, who heads a temple trust in Sinnar in Nashik district and has been visited by several political leaders over the years, was arrested on March 18 after a 35-year-old woman accused him of repeatedly raping him over a three-year period. After his arrest, several rape complaints were filed against him.
A senior official said the probe team received an average of 15 to 20 phone calls a day since the launch of the two dedicated mobile numbers.
Of the calls received in the last five days, more than 50 related to complaints about Kharat, he said, adding that the team was verifying the complaints.
The SIT has assured that the identity of those providing information or reporting a crime will be kept strictly confidential, he said. The SIT visited Kharat’s office in Nashik on Friday (March 27) accompanied by a forensic team.
A team of police officials recovered several documents and folders, a diary and documents from the office, the official said.
Meanwhile, the Nashik district administration has suspended the arms license of a former merchant navy officer citing that he may be using weapons to threaten and intimidate victims in several cases against him.
Nashik Collector Ayush Prasad on Tuesday issued an order suspending the arms license of Kharat, another official said.
Kharat, a resident of Mirgaon in Sinnar, obtained a revolver license on October 15, 2012, renewed it on January 1, 2024 with validity till December 2028, he said.
After a case was registered against Kharat at the Sarkarwada police station, the police recovered a gun and bullets from his possession.
The license was suspended under Section 17(3) of the Arms Act. Moral turpitude is a valid reason for license suspension, the order read.
Published – 27 March 2026 16:26 IST
