<p>A special court in Mumbai on Tuesday granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest self-styled <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/ashok-kharat-case-deputy-collector-suspended-by-maharashtra-government-23630594" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">godman Ashok Kharat</a> in connection with a Rs 70 crore money laundering case, reported PTI.</p>
<h2>Kharat produced from Nashik jail</h2>
<p>Kharat, already facing rape and fraud charges, was produced before the Special PMLA Court on a production warrant from Nashik jail, where he has been under judicial custody.</p>
<h2>ED to formally arrest him</h2>
<p>The central probe agency sought permission to arrest Kharat, which the court allowed.</p>
<p>The ED will formally arrest him after completing the mandatory formalities and produce him before the court on Wednesday for seeking his remand.</p>
<h2>Money laundering case filed under PMLA</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/ed-summons-ncp-leader-rupali-chakankar-in-godman-ashok-kharat-case-23630272" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Enforcement Directorate</a> filed a case against Kharat under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on April 6, taking cognisance of a Nashik Police FIR filed against him on charges of extortion, religious manipulation, and drug-facilitated assault on multiple women victims, reported PTI.</p>
<h2>Multiple FIRs related to rape and exploitation</h2>
<p>Kharat also faces multiple FIRs related to rape and sexual exploitation of women. He was arrested by the Nashik Police in north Maharashtra on March 18 after a married woman accused him of repeatedly raping her over three years, reported PTI.</p>
<h2>ED alleges Rs 70 crore extortion racket</h2>
<p>The financial crime investigation agency has accused Kharat of orchestrating a massive extortion racket and laundering over Rs 70 crore through a web of 'benami' bank accounts.</p>
<h2>Probe focuses on benami accounts</h2>
<p>Benami bank accounts are those held in one person's name, while the money is provided or legally owned by another individual.</p>
<p>Earlier, the ED, in its plea for a production warrant, submitted that <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/godman-ashok-kharat-held-in-eighth-sexual-exploitation-case-court-denies-police-remand-sends-him-to-jail-23628231" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Kharat's custody</a> was essential to unearth the larger conspiracy, identify ultimate beneficiaries, and trace the money trail, which the probe agency suspects may have cross-border implications, reported PTI.</p>
<h2>ED claims 60 accounts opened in one day</h2>
<p>Kharat had allegedly opened 60 accounts in one day at the Samata Nagari Cooperative Credit Society in Ahilyanagar district, using victims' documents without their consent, and conducted transactions of more than Rs 70 crore, it has claimed, reported PTI.</p>
<h2>Properties bought using extorted funds: ED</h2>
<p>Investigations have shown that Kharat acquired various movable and immovable properties in his and his family members' names out of the funds accumulated through extortion from the victims and by selling common items like tamarind seeds and honey as 'blessed' items, the ED has alleged, reported PTI.</p>
<h2>SIT probing 12 cases against Kharat</h2>
<p>A <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/ashok-kharat-case-sit-questions-former-womens-panel-chief-rupali-chakankar-in-self-styled-godman-ashok-kharat-case-23629780" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Special Investigation Team</a> (SIT) is conducting a probe into 12 cases of sexual exploitation and financial fraud registered against the Kharat in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts.</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from PTI)</strong></p>

A special court in Mumbai granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate to arrest godman Ashok Kharat in connection with a Rs 70 crore money laundering case

Rs 70 crore money laundering case: ED gets court nod to arrest 'godman' Ashok Kharat

Cops wounded as burglary suspect goes on blade attack in Aarey Colony

Kharat, already facing rape and fraud charges, was produced before the Special PMLA Court on a production warrant from Nashik jail, where he has been under judicial custody

ED gets court nod to arrest godman Ashok Kharat in Rs 70 crore money laundering case

Kharat produced from Nashik jail

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