Top News

Nashik Police on March 18-19, 2026, arrested 67-year-old self-styled astrologer Ashok Kharat, popularly known as “Captain” due to his retired merchant navy background, for repeatedly raping a 35-year-old woman under the guise of spiritual rituals. The victim claimed that Kharat used to call women seeking solutions to personal or marital problems to his office at Canada Corner, give them intoxicants (in the pretext of offerings or through rituals), hypnotize them or threaten them with threats of Tantra Mantra, including harming family members, and sexually assault them by intimidating them into silence.

During investigation, hidden CCTV cameras were found in his office. A pen drive seized during the raid allegedly contained obscene video clips belonging to **58 different women**, pointing to a widespread pattern of recordings for exploitation, blackmail and extortion. A pistol, live cartridges, empty cartridges and suspicious documents were recovered from his Mirgaon farmhouse and other properties.

Kharat, who ran a fake company named Okus Property Dealers posing as a divine astrologer-numerologist, was the chairman of the Sri Ishaneyeshwar (or Shivanika Sansthan) Temple Trust in Sinnar, Nashik. He had influence among politicians, businessmen, celebrities and realtors and was often sought by people for “blessings” or advice on election rituals. His assets worth crores of rupees (according to some reports up to Rs 200 crore in land and properties in Nashik and Shirdi) are under investigation for irregularities.

The Maharashtra government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by IPS officer Tejaswini Satpute to investigate sexual harassment, extortion through video/blackmail, financial transactions, political connections and possible other victims. Nashik Crime Branch is continuing to investigate the evidence.

The case sparked political controversy: Sushma Andhare of Shiv Sena (UBT), Harshvardhan Sapkal of MPCC and other opposition leaders demanded the resignation of Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Rupali Chakankar because of her past links with Kharat’s trust. Viral pictures/videos show him washing Kharat’s feet or holding an umbrella for him. Chakankar denied knowledge of his crimes and expressed confidence in a fair investigation.

Kharat is still in custody amid raids and interrogation.