A 28-year-old woman alleges repeated sexual assault under the guise of spiritual rituals while a Special Investigation Team examines 58 private videos seized from the suspect.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has begun interrogating self-styled astrologer Ashok Kumar Kharat following his arrest on charges of raping a woman repeatedly over a three-year period. Police took the 67-year-old suspect, widely known as “Captain,” into custody from his Nashik residence on Wednesday morning. A local court subsequently remanded him to police custody until March 24.
The investigation centers on a complaint filed by a 28-year-old woman who approached Kharat in 2022 seeking solutions for marital discord. According to the first information report (FIR) registered at the Sarkarwada police station, Kharat allegedly misled the victim, claiming that sexual submission was a prerequisite for resolving her personal problems. The victim told investigators the abuse continued through December 2025.
Tejaswi Satpute, commandant of the State Reserve Police Force in Pune, leads the SIT. She interrogated Kharat for more than two hours on Thursday at the Nashik crime branch headquarters. The state government constituted the special team as the case expanded beyond the initial complaint.
Investigators have since seized a pen drive containing 58 videos of private moments involving various individuals. These files were recovered during a search of Kharat’s residence and his office at Ojas Property Dealer and Developers. Authorities are currently verifying the identities of the people appearing in these recordings.
And the political fallout has been immediate.
Opposition leaders have demanded the removal of Rupali Chakankar, chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women. Photographs and videos surfaced this week showing Chakankar performing a “paadya pujan” ritual for Kharat. Chakankar serves as a trustee for the Shri Shivnika Sansthan, a trust headed by the accused in Sinnar.
Chakankar defended her association on Thursday. She stated she was involved only for social work and had no knowledge of Kharat’s personal conduct. “I have no idea about Captain Kharat’s personal life or the allegations leveled against him,” Chakankar said. She added that she maintains full faith in the police inquiry.
But the pressure isn’t letting up. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare alleged that Chakankar previously used her position to protect Kharat from similar complaints. Former MP Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati has called on the state government to take “serious action” against any official found shielding the suspect.
Kharat, a retired merchant navy officer, built a reputation as a numerologist and “cosmology” expert. He frequently advised high-profile politicians, celebrities, and business leaders. His farmhouse in Mirgaon and his Nashik office reportedly featured hidden cameras used to record visitors. During the search of his properties, police also seized a pistol from his farmhouse.
The police have booked Kharat under sections 64 and 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which cover rape and sexual intercourse obtained through deceitful means. He also faces charges under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.
How many more victims are hidden in those 58 seized videos?
Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam told reporters that the government would ensure protection for any women who come forward with additional complaints. He promised an impartial probe into the digital evidence recovered.
The SIT is currently mapping Kharat’s network of influential contacts to determine if any official interference occurred during the years the alleged abuse took place. They are also examining the financial records of the Shri Shivnika Sansthan trust.
The case mirrors past scandals involving self-proclaimed spiritual leaders using religious influence to exploit followers. This time, the proximity of the suspect to the state’s highest political circles has turned a criminal case into a litmus test for the administration’s stance on women’s safety.
A report on the SIT’s preliminary findings is expected within the week.
Evidence from the seized digital files will likely dictate whether further arrests follow..
