Nashik 'godman' Ashok Kharat remanded to judicial custody in fourth case

NASHIK: The court of chief judicial magistrate (CJM) BN Ichpurani on Saturday remanded astrologer Ashok Kharat - accused of sexual exploitation and practising black magic - to judicial custody in the fourth case registered against him on March 23.Kharat was produced before the court virtually.The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating the complaints against him registered with Sarkarwada Police, requested the court for his arrest in the fifth case involving allegations of sexual assault and black magic lodged by another woman.Appearing before the court, additional public prosecutor Shailendra Bagade informed the magistrate about the allegations made by several women based on which the SIT formally requested for court's permission to take Kharat into custody.According to Bagade, the FIR includes BNS Sections 64(1) for rape, 74 for the use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty, and 351(2) for criminal intimidation. The accused faces charges under Section 3(2) of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.Police officials said that Kharat would be arrested for the next case.

He would be produced before the court on Sunday to seek his remand in the case."Since every case is different, we would want to investigate every complaint for which we have requested the court to allow us to arrest him. After completing the formalities, we will produce him before the court again," an officer said.In all, 15 complaints have been registered against Kharat, of which eight pertain to sexual exploitation and rest to Black Magic Act and cheating.The SIT formed by the state govt and headed by Tejaswi Satpute is investigating 11 cases.