<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/arvind-kejriwal-slams-ed-action-alleges-political-targeting-after-raids-on-aap-leaders-23626209" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Enforcement Directorate (ED)</a> on Friday carried out fresh searches on Friday in Maharashtra&rsquo;s Nashik district as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation involving controversial self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, reported the PTI.
Officials stated that a property linked to Kharat in Sharanpur town was raided, where documents and electronic devices are currently under scrutiny.
This marks the second phase of action after initial searches on April 13 across residential and commercial premises tied to Kharat, his chartered accountant Prakash Pophale, family members, and several cooperative credit societies. During those operations, authorities seized Rs 42 lakh in cash and froze assets worth Rs 2.4 crore. The ownership of these assets remains unclear, according to the PTI.
The ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on April 6, based on a Nashik police FIR. The charges include extortion, religious exploitation, and alleged drug-facilitated sexual assault involving multiple women, the news agency reported.
<h2>SIT probe and multiple FIRs</h2>
According to the PTI, the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-weather-updates-mumbai-thane-and-palghar-continue-to-reel-under-hot-weather-imd-issues-yellow-alert-for-parts-of-maharashtra-predicts-heatwave-23626027" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Maharashtra</a> government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine both criminal allegations and financial irregularities linked to Kharat. Police have filed around a dozen FIRs so far, pointing to a widening investigation.
Kharat was arrested in March by Nashik police following allegations by a married woman who accused him of repeated sexual assault over three years. He is currently lodged in a Nashik jail.
<h2>Modus operandi</h2>
Investigators revealed that Kharat allegedly operated multiple bank accounts in the names of third parties through cooperative credit societies. He reportedly listed himself as the nominee and linked his mobile number to control transactions, as per the PTI.
The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/delhi-airport-scare-spicejet-aircraft-collides-with-akasa-air-plane-at-delhi-airport-runway-passengers-safe-says-airlines-23626061" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">officials</a> stated that he sold ordinary items marketed as &ldquo;blessed&rdquo; or spiritually empowered products, falsely promising healing powers. Funds collected from such activities, along with alleged extortion proceeds, were reportedly channelled into land investments via his chartered accountant, the news agency reported.
<h2>Allegations of exploitation</h2>
According to the SIT, Kharat exploited women by claiming supernatural abilities, allegedly threatening harm to their families or reputational damage if they resisted. These claims form a central part of the ongoing investigation.
The case has triggered political controversy in Maharashtra, with images of Kharat alongside prominent <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/delimitation-exercise-lok-sabha-seats-for-all-states-will-increase-by-50-per-cent-says-law-and-justice-minister-arjun-ram-meghwal-23626073" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">political figures</a> and alleged videos of misconduct circulating widely online.
(with PTI inputs)

Ashok Kharat case: ED on Friday carried out fresh searches on Friday in Maharashtra’s Nashik district as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation

Ashok Kharat case: ED conducts fresh raids in Nashik district of Maharashtra

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Officials stated that a property linked to Ashok Kharat in Sharanpur town was raided, where documents and electronic devices are currently under scrutiny

Ashok Kharat case: ED conducts fresh raids in Nashik

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