Self-styled godman Ashok Kharat has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody till April 21 by a court in Maharashtra’s Nashik district in connection with a second rape case. The case involves allegations of repeated sexual exploitation of a woman under the pretext of performing religious rituals over several years, reported news agency PTI.
Court Proceedings Held via Video Conference
Kharat was produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate B N Ichpurani after the expiry of his police custody in the second case. Owing to security concerns, he was not physically present in court, and the proceedings were conducted via video conferencing, reported PTI.
During the hearing, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing multiple cases against Kharat, submitted its remand report and sought judicial custody. The court accepted the request and ordered that Kharat be sent to Nashik Road Central Jail.
Allegations of Long-Term Sexual Exploitation
According to the complaint, the survivor had been in contact with Kharat since 2013 after being introduced to him by a relative for assistance with marriage-related issues. Even after her marriage, Kharat allegedly maintained contact with her, claiming to offer solutions to her personal and family problems, reported PTI.
The woman later separated from her husband due to marital discord. When she approached Kharat again regarding her future and possible remarriage, he allegedly began exploiting her sexually. The complaint states that he repeatedly assaulted her at his office under the guise of religious rituals.
Forced Abortion and Threats Alleged
The survivor further alleged that she became pregnant during this period, after which Kharat allegedly forced her to undergo an abortion by administering pills. The complaint claims that the exploitation continued from February 2020 onward, during which Kharat also allegedly threatened to harm her and her children if she resisted, reported PTI.
She approached the police on March 21, days after another rape case against Kharat came to light, gathering the courage to report her ordeal.
Multiple Cases Registered Against Kharat
Kharat was initially arrested on March 17 following a complaint filed by another woman. He has since been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, as well as the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, reported PTI.
Authorities have confirmed that Kharat is currently facing 12 criminal cases across Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts, including eight cases related to sexual assault.
SIT Seeks Custody in Third Case
The SIT has moved an application seeking Kharat’s custody in a third case of alleged sexual exploitation. He is scheduled to be produced in court in connection with this case on April 9.
Kharat, who heads a temple trust in Sinnar, had previously been seen in the company of several political figures. Following his arrest, photographs of him with prominent leaders circulated widely, triggering political controversy across the state.
(With inputs from PTI)
* This article was originally published here
No comments:
Post a Comment