Maharashtra: Another self-proclaimed godman booked for sexual exploitation in Nashik

Self-proclaimed godman Maheshgiri booked under sexual exploitation and black magic act. (File pic)

Amid an intensified probe into the Ashok Kharat case, Nashik police in Maharashtra have registered an FIR against another self-proclaimed godman for alleged sexual exploitation of a 28-year-old woman.

As reported by news agency PTI, the alleged crimes took place in 2024; the woman mustered courage after activists from the anti-superstition Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANS) counselled her. While the allegations initially seem extremely serious, the woman filed a complaint on Wednesday against Maheshgiri alias Mahesh Dilip Kakde (31).

Officials, while briefing about the incident, said, as per the complaint, the woman was facing some problems in her personal life, and her parents took her to a mutt known as 'Prati Gangapur' at Dharangaon (Khadak) village near Lasalgaon.

Maheshgiri alias Mahesh Dilip Kakde (accused), who claimed to have divine powers, allegedly told them that she had been affected by 'Karni' (black magic) and asked them to perform certain rituals, the official said on Thursday.

As per the complaint, the accused later started sending obscene messages to the woman. He then further took the victim to a lodge in Nashik city and exploited her sexually, reported PTI.

The complainant also told the police that Kakde allegedly clicked her objectionable photographs and threatened her with dire consequences in case she complained against him, the woman told police.

After ANS activists gave her courage, the woman approached the police, the official said.

The official further asserted that a case of alleged rape and offences under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, was registered against Kakde late Wednesday night at Lasalgaon police station, and further investigation was on.

Ashok Kharat case

Ashok Kharat, a self-proclaimed godman who ran a temple in Sinnar tehsil and was visited by several Maharashtra politicians over the years, was arrested in a rape case last month. He has since been accused of sexually assaulting several women and indulging in large-scale financial fraud by claiming to have divine powers and knowledge of black magic.

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday, April 13, conducted searches across Maharashtra as part of a money laundering investigation against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat and his linked entities, officials said.

(With inputs from PTI)