A self-styled spiritual adviser and astrologer from Nashik, Maharashtra, remains in extended police custody as investigators widen their probe into serious allegations, including sexual assault, fraud and misuse of influence.
On March 29, a district court in Nashik approved a request from the investigating officers to keep Kharat under police custody through 1 April 2026 to allow further questioning and evidence gathering.
Prosecutors told the court that the Ashok Kharat has not been fully cooperative with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case, slowing efforts to extract key evidence and clarify the full scope of alleged crimes.
One of the main pieces of evidence involves a forensic-cloned copy of Kharat’s mobile phone, which authorities are analysing to identify contacts stored under Alias names. These contacts may reveal networks of influence and possibly political, social or financial links hidden in coded directories.
Kharat was initially arrested in mid-March after a complaint from a woman alleging repeated sexual assault over several years under the pretext of spiritual guidance. Since then, the probe has expanded, with multiple FIRs registered and additional complaints pouring in.
Investigators say the SIT needs additional days of custody because important questions remain unresolved — especially on financial dealings, potential accomplices, digital evidence and alleged deception of victims.
The ongoing investigation has stirred wider public interest and debate about the misuse of spiritual authority, the protection of vulnerable individuals and the mechanism of law enforcement in complex cases involving charismatic leaders.
