A Mumbai court has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat till May 26 in connection with an alleged ₹70 crore money laundering case. Investigators claim Kharat was involved in suspicious financial transactions carried out through multiple accounts and entities over the years.
According to the ED, the investigation is tied to several criminal complaints already registered against Kharat, including allegations of cheating, extortion, and exploitation of devotees under the guise of spiritual guidance. Officials told the court that large sums of money were collected from followers and routed through various banking channels, prompting a deeper probe into possible money laundering activities.
The agency informed the court that banking transactions worth more than ₹70 crore had surfaced during the investigation. Officials are now examining whether these transactions were linked to shell entities, benami assets, or other illegal financial networks. Some reports have also suggested that investigators are looking into possible international links connected to the movement of funds.
During the hearing, the ED argued that custodial interrogation was necessary to trace the money trail and identify other individuals who may have been involved. The court accepted the agency’s request and extended Kharat’s custody until May 26 to allow further investigation.
Kharat, who reportedly projected himself as a spiritual figure and astrologer, has been under scrutiny for months. Earlier this year, the ED carried out raids at several locations across Maharashtra, including properties linked to trusts and associates connected with him.
