The Special Investigation Team (SIT) intensifies its probe into self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, detaining his son and launching a search for his wife amid allegations of sexual assault and financial fraud.
Key Points
- The SIT is investigating Ashok Kharat following multiple FIRs of sexual assault and fraud.
- Kharat's son has been detained for questioning in Nashik.
- Police are searching for Kharat's wife, Kalpana, in connection with the case.
- A separate case has been registered against Kharat's wife and others for allegedly defrauding a landowner of over Rs 4 crore in Ahilyanagar district.
- Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the land fraud case, while Kharat and his wife are also accused.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is conducting a probe against rape accused self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, has detained his son from Nashik city for questioning and is also searching for his wife, police said.
At least 10 FIRs, eight for alleged sexual assault or exploitation and two for cheating, have been registered against Kharat at Sarkarwada police station in Nashik, while the SIT has received more than 100 complaints over the phone against him.
An SIT team reached Kharat's house located in Karmayogi Nagar here on Tuesday and detained his son Harshvardhan. He was then taken to the Maharashtra Police Academy (MPA) for questioning, police sources said.
The investigators were trying to trace Kharat's wife Kalpana. However, the SIT team failed to find her at the residence and detained their son, they said.
Kharat's police custody will end on Wednesday, following which he will be produced in a local court.
Land Fraud Allegations
Meanwhile, police in neighbouring Ahilyanagar district on Tuesday registered a case against five persons, including Kharat's wife, for cheating a land owner of more than Rs 4 crore, officials said.
Police in the temple town of Shirdi have arrested two accused in this connection. Kharat's wife is absconding, and efforts are on to trace her, the official said.
"A land owner from Shirdi had taken an unsecured loan of Rs 5.52 crore from Kharat's wife against four acres of land. He had made repayment of around Rs 1.5 crore, but Kharat allegedly tried to grab the land. The owner then lodged a complaint with the police, based on which a case was registered for fraud and under the Maharashtra Money Lending (Regulation) Act," he said.
The two arrested persons have been identified as Arvind Bawake and Kiran Sonawane, he said, adding that Kharat, his wife and a middleman are accused in the case.
