The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a money laundering chargesheet against self-styled Maharashtra godman Ashok Kharat, his wife and four others, alleging that he cheated devotees by portraying himself as an incarnation of Lord Shiva and laundered the proceeds of crime through two cooperative credit societies.
Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat, also known as Captain and Bondhu Baba, was arrested by the ED on May 19 while he was in police custody. He is also facing allegations of sexually exploiting several women.
According to an ED statement, the prosecution complaint was filed on Friday before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai. Besides Kharat, the chargesheet names his wife, Kalpana Kharat, and four others as accused.
The agency alleged that Kharat exploited the religious faith of his followers by inducing them to part with money and properties under the pretext of conducting “Avatar Poojas”, curing illnesses, averting misfortune and ensuring business prosperity.
The ED further alleged that the Nashik-based self-proclaimed godman extorted and cheated people through criminal intimidation.
“Kharat falsely projected himself as possessing divine powers and as an incarnation of Lord Shiva to deceive devotees,” the agency said.
According to the ED, Kharat laundered the proceeds of crime through two cooperative credit societies by fraudulently operating multiple bank accounts in connivance with an employee. The agency alleged that several benami accounts were used for depositing large amounts of cash and subsequently withdrawing the funds, including maturity proceeds.
The ED claimed that the laundered money was either retained by trusted associates or invested in immovable properties located in Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Pune and Mumbai in the names of Kharat’s family members.
Kharat is currently lodged in judicial custody. The ED has attached and seized assets worth Rs 36.90 crore in connection with the case.
The case against Kharat began after Nashik Police arrested him on March 18 following a complaint by a married woman, who alleged that he had repeatedly raped her over a period of three years. Subsequent investigations led to multiple allegations of financial fraud and money laundering, prompting the ED to initiate proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
