- Ashok Kharat is suspected of multiple human sacrifices in Nashik, Maharashtra
- He allegedly raped and threatened women under the guise of religious rituals
- A court extended Kharat's police custody by five days until March 29
Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman and astrologer at the centre of a string of crimes against women in Maharashtra's Nashik, is now being suspected of carrying out multiple human sacrifices. Murky details shared by the public prosecutor indicate key findings that possibly link the tainted godman to the alleged killings of five persons.
Kharat, a retired Merchant Navy officer, allegedly sexually assaulted several women and threatened them under the guise of religious rituals. Produced in court today, he was sent to five more days of police custody, until March 29.
While seeking an extension of his custody, public prosecutor Shailendra Bagde shared chilling details from the investigation, including Kharat's possible involvement in human sacrifices. During the probe, a revolver, 21 live cartridges, and five used bullets were found, he told the court. The police suspect that these five bullets may have been used for 'narbali', or human sacrifice, the prosecutor added.
Read: Repeated Assault, Threats, Forced Abortion: Nashik Godman's Chilling Crimes
As he detailed the probe findings inside the court, tension grippled the complex outside. There was a massive protest, and an attempt was also made to attack a police vehicle.
Fear, Superstition, Sexual Abuse
Fear and superstition were central to Kharat's modus operandi. It helped him sexually abuse several women and keep his crimes under the wraps. He is also accused of blackmailing his targets using CCTV recordings.
Kharat used props like remote-controlled fake snakes and tiger skin to create an occult ambience and then stoked the fears of his targets to dupe them. He allegedly promised miracles and sold items that barely cost Rs 100 for lakhs.
Facing multiple charges of sexual assault, blackmail, and fraud, he refuted the allegations that he practised black magic and said he had answered all questions during his seven-day custody.
Read: New Case Against 'Godman': Abused Pregnant Woman, Husband Waited Outside
"This is the first time I am hearing about things like snake, tiger, and deer skins; the police did not ask me any question about this during my custody," he claimed in the court.
"Process Of Purification"
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also confirmed that a revolver had been found from his farmhouse. Sharing facts linked to the investigation against the tainted astrologer in the assembly today, he said that the Nashik Crime Branch has seized Rs 6.5 lakh cash and two laptops. The investigation has also uncovered his assets worth crores, including land, luxurious flats, offices, and marriage halls across several cities, the assembly was informed.
Kharat misled women by branding his acts a "process of purification" and claiming that he was an "avatar of Lord Shankar," according to the chief minister. If they resisted, they were threatened with a divine curse and their children's future, he added.
Read: Hidden Cameras, 58 Women: Nashik Astrologer And His Farmhouse Of Secrets
The acts were often recorded on the CCTV cameras in his office. Several such clips had gone viral, with cops suspecting that he used those videos to blackmail his targets.
All objectionable videos have been removed from social media, Fadnavis assured, adding that the police are reaching out to the victims to encourage them to file complaints. Security is being provided to those who provided video evidence.
A total of eight FIRs have been filed against him, of which seven are being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), while one is with the Nashik Crime Unit, he told the assembly.
