Have to work from home: Nashik godman's victims's families upset as clips go viral

The fallout of viral videos linked to godman Captain Ashok Kharat has left victims’ families in deep distress, with one relative revealing he had to request work from home after the clips surfaced online.

“We never thought something like this would happen. We are distressed I avoided going to my office for seven days and now requested work from home until the matter settles,” a maternal cousin of a 34-year-old complainant told India Today.

Ashok Kharat, also known as ‘Captain’ Kharat, was arrested on Thursday by the Nashik Crime Branch for allegedly raping a woman and exploiting others under the guise of religious practices. Police said he manipulated a 35-year-old married woman through rituals and claims of divine powers, drugged her with intoxicants, hypnotised her, and repeatedly assaulted her between November 2022 and December 2025.

The woman is among several victims who have filed FIRs against Kharat. However, videos allegedly involving victims are rapidly circulating across social media and, according to investigators, have even surfaced on pornographic websites—raising serious concerns about privacy violations and secondary victimisation.

Officials say the viral spread of these clips is not only traumatising families but also discouraging potential witnesses, thereby hampering the investigation. Families of multiple victims reported living under constant anxiety, with relatives receiving frequent calls they are unable to answer, leading to social stigma and emotional strain.

Following directives issued on March 23 by Devendra Fadnavis, authorities have begun cracking down on media platforms that failed to follow standard operating procedures while airing such content. Notices have been issued to several news channels in this regard.

A senior officer from the Special Investigation Team told India Today that videos have already been taken down from 170 websites. While action is being taken against content on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, officials admit that controlling the spread on private networks such as WhatsApp and Telegram remains a significant challenge.

The Nashik Cyber Cell is actively investigating the matter, and further action is underway to remove objectionable content, including videos that have reportedly appeared on pornographic platforms.

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