Shirdi's 'Special 26': Godman Sent Fake IT Officers To Raid His Devotees, Then Charged Crores To 'Save' Them

Last Updated:April 09, 2026, 11:52 IST

Having earned the trust of rich devotees, Kharat reportedly gathered intimate details about their undisclosed wealth and assets — and used that information against them.

A godman from Shirdi stands accused of a jaw-dropping fraud — sending fake Income Tax officers to raid his own devotees, then posing as their saviour to extort crores. The racket, compared to Bollywood movie ‘Special 26’, targeted wealthy industrialists who trusted him with their darkest financial secrets.

Who Is Ashok Kharat And What Did He Do?

Baba Ashok Kharat positioned himself as a spiritual guide to wealthy businessmen and industrialists in the Shirdi region. But behind the façade of faith, he allegedly ran a calculated extortion racket.

Having earned the trust of affluent devotees, Kharat reportedly gathered intimate details about their undisclosed wealth and assets — and then used that information against them.

How Did The ‘Special 26’ Scam Work?

In what investigators are comparing to the Bollywood film ‘Special 26’ — where conmen pose as CBI officers to raid targets — Kharat allegedly sent his associates dressed as Income Tax officials to raid the homes and offices of his own devotees.

Panicked by the fake raids, the businessmen would rush to their trusted guru for help. Kharat would then play the saviour, promising to “settle things at a higher level" — and extort crores in the name of arranging a compromise. It was a chilling double act: he engineered the fear and then sold the rescue.

Why Aren’t Victims Speaking Up?

Many of the defrauded industrialists are reportedly reluctant to file complaints, fearing social embarrassment or further legal complications — given that the fraud often targeted undisclosed wealth.

What Happens Next?

The case has sent shockwaves across the district. Authorities are yet to make a formal statement, but if a full investigation is ordered, it is believed several high-profile names could surface. The public has been urged to be wary of imposters posing as government officials.

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