ED Registers PMLA Case Against Godman Kharat

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in Maharashtra and is preparing to interrogate him, officials said.

The agency’s Mumbai regional office has filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, based on multiple FIRs registered by the Maharashtra Police.

Authorities said Kharat and his friends will be summoned for questioning as part of the investigation.

Kharat, described as both a man of god and an astrologer, was arrested in March following allegations from a married woman that he raped her repeatedly for three years.

Police have registered eight FIRs against him so far. Investigations also uncovered allegations of financial irregularities, including transactions linked to land deals, cooperative lenders and other properties.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that all accounts linked to Kharat have been identified and are under investigation.

“All Kharat’s accounts came to our attention and transactions made through them were detected,” he said.

“I have full confidence that all illegal entities and irregularities will be exposed,” he added.