Mumbai, March 23 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the police acted proactively in arresting self-proclaimed spiritual leader Ashok Kharat, who is accused of raping a woman in Nashik.
Initially, several women were reluctant to come forward and file complaints, but the authorities provided them with complete protection, Fadnavis informed the state assembly.
More victims are expected to come forward as confidence in the investigation grows, he said.
Kharat, who claimed to be a retired Merchant Navy officer and was known as "captain," was arrested on March 18 for rape and other offenses on the complaint of a 35-year-old woman. She alleged that Kharat had raped her several times over a period of three years.
"The police successfully apprehended and proactively arrested Kharat. This is a very serious matter. He misused his so-called authority and behaved inappropriately with women. Preparations to arrest him had been underway for some time," CM Fadnavis said.
Around March 10, a complaint registered in another district was used by the police to initiate action against Kharat. A look-out circular had already been issued to prevent him from fleeing the country, Fadnavis informed the assembly.
The chief minister said he would make a detailed statement on the case in the House on Tuesday and asserted that no one would be spared.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar termed the case a blot on Maharashtra and alleged that women were exploited by Kharat and other such individuals. He demanded the immediate removal of all those allegedly involved, including ministers and senior officials.
Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav claimed that the case involved several ministers as well as senior IAS and IPS officers, and said the House had the right to discuss the matter. He alleged that the government had previously attempted to suppress a similar case in Nashik without conducting a proper investigation.
Jadhav criticised the ruling dispensation, saying that those in power invoked the name of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but failed to follow his principles.
Several political leaders had visited Kharat over the years, allegedly to seek spiritual advice.
The government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
The woman in her complaint to Nashik police alleged that Kharat called her to his office in 2022, ostensibly to perform rituals to avert danger to her husband, administered a drink laced with sedative, and raped her. She alleged repeated sexual assault over a period of three years.
The police have seized CCTV DVRs from Kharat's Mirgaon farmhouse, Tikde Colony bungalow, and Canada Corner office as part of the investigation.
Kharat is named in several cases filed at Vavi, Shirdi, and Sarkarwada police stations for alleged extortion, blackmail, rape, and black magic practices, officials earlier said.
Investigators were reaching out to potential victims, and more cases were expected to be registered against Kharat, they added.
