Fadnavis Informs Assembly 8 Cases Registered Against Rapist ‘Godman’

Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that eight cases have been registered against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who is accused of sexually assaulting more than 50 women over the years. Making an official statement in Parliament, Mr Fadnavis described how an initial extortion complaint turned into the unearthing of a wide-ranging criminal racket involving superstitions, black magic and financial irregularities.

The case began on December 29, 2025, when Kharat approached Wavi Police Station, claiming to have demanded Rs 5 million to prevent the leakage of private photos of two people. Police found no evidence to support the claim and the defendants were later released on bail.

The investigation took a dramatic turn after a woman filed a separate complaint with the name Neeraj Jadhav at Shirdi Police Station on February 18, 2026. During the investigation, a witness presented 35 videos featuring eight women stating that Kharat allegedly used “divine claims” to commit sexual assault.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed on March 13 to consolidate the emerging evidence. On March 17, another complainant approached Sarkarwada Police Station, alleging that Kharat drugged and raped her in his office and then assaulted her multiple times, threatening to kill her husband. Kharat was arrested just before midnight the same day.

During searches of their premises, more than Rs 6.5 lakh cash, two laptops, a pistol with 21 cartridges and documents related to various land parcels were seized. SIT has so far traced assets worth Rs 40.87 billion, including 60 acres of land and several properties in Nashik, Panvel and Pune. The investigation is now investigating possible administrative complicity in these transactions.

“Going forward, the SIT will investigate whether any senior administrative officials were involved in Kharat’s financial affairs,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

Investigators are counseling victims who were initially reluctant to come forward due to social stigma. Investigation revealed that Kharat used fake snakes and tigers to instill fear and claimed to be the incarnation of Lord Shankar to facilitate attacks.

“By providing security assurances, the police encouraged many women to record their statements, leading to separate cases involving rape, harassment and forced abortions under the guise of religious rituals,” the Prime Minister said.

The SIT is also probing the ‘Shri Shivanika Sansthan’ foundation, possible tax evasion and Kharat’s foreign travel to 13 countries. The accused will remain in police custody until March 24 while authorities continue to recover deleted mobile data through forensics.