Ashok Kharat, a figure described as a self-styled godman, has been remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) until May 26. A special court in Mumbai issued the order on Wednesday, placing him under the agency's detention as part of an investigation into an alleged ₹70 crore money laundering operation.
The ED has accused Kharat of orchestrating a substantial extortion racket, funnelling over ₹70 crore through a network of 'benami' bank accounts. This development follows Kharat's arrest by the ED on Tuesday, subsequent to his appearance in court on a production warrant. He was previously held under judicial custody in Nashik. The case stems from an FIR lodged by Nashik Police on April 6, which cited charges of extortion, religious manipulation, and drug-facilitated assault against multiple women. Kharat is reportedly already facing separate accusations of rape and fraud.
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The ED initiated its case against Kharat under the 'Prevention of Money Laundering Act' (PMLA). Agency officials sought a 10-day remand for a thorough examination of the financial dealings. Kharat’s defense countered, arguing that the ED possessed all necessary documents and that further custody was uncalled for.
During court proceedings, Kharat claimed he was persuaded by officials from a cooperative credit society to deposit cash there, lured by promises of higher interest rates. He stated he deposited funds with the society, not a private bank, due to an offered nine percent interest, and was unaware of the implications. The investigation also reportedly involves multiple accounts opened within a single day in a cooperative credit society.
