MUMBAI: A self-styled godman and astrologer, Captain Ashok Kharat, has been arrested by police in Nashik for allegedly sexually exploiting women after filming them in compromising situations.
Police said they have recovered 58 objectionable videos involving women from the accused. Kharat is reportedly known to have links with several politicians, industrialists and celebrities, many of whom allegedly sought his advice on various matters.
Photographs of Kharat with Eknath Shinde, as well as Rupali Chakankar, chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, have gone viral on social media. In one video, Chakankar is seen washing Kharat’s feet and showing reverence, while in another she refers to him as her guru. She is also a member of a trust named Shivnika, where Kharat serves as president.
Chakankar acknowledged attending meetings of the Shivnika trust for social work, where she came into contact with Kharat. She stated that she was not aware of the allegations against him and said the police should conduct an impartial investigation to establish the truth.
According to police, Kharat allegedly intoxicated women, filmed them, and later used the recordings to blackmail and exploit them. Authorities also stated that rape allegations have been made against him, and a formal complaint has been registered.
“Several celebrities, industrialists and politicians used to approach him for advice,” a police official said. “Kharat is a retired officer from the Indian Navy and was known as an expert in cosmology and arithmetic. He had also acquired several acres of land in Nashik and other metropolitan cities.”
Meanwhile, Sushma Andhare of the Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded a fair investigation and called for Chakankar’s resignation as chairperson of the women’s commission. Andhare alleged that Chakankar may have been aware of Kharat’s activities and could have provided him with political protection, and urged her to step down immediately.