Mumbai, March 24 Eight FIRs have been registered by the police against self-proclaimed religious figure Ashok Kharat after receiving multiple complaints involving allegations of sexual assault, extortion, and the circulation of objectionable material, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the legislative assembly, Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to investigate cases against Kharat, based in Nashik, would also examine the possible involvement of government officials in the offenses.
"A total of eight FIRs have been filed against Kharat. He was in police custody until today (Tuesday), and we have obtained an extension (until March 29 from a Nashik court) for further investigation. Seven of these cases are with the SIT. I have presented an interim report to the House," he said.
He said the first case came to light on December 19, 2025, when Kharat himself lodged a police complaint in Nashik district, alleging that Dinesh Manaji Parab had threatened to release a video involving the complainant and a woman unless Rs 5 crore was paid to him.
Police registered a case under the IT Act and Section 308 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (extortion) after examining phone call records, messages, and screenshots.
Fadnavis said another complaint was filed on February 18, 2026, in Shirdi in the Ahilyanagar district, where a woman alleged that Neeraj Jadhav had created and shared an AI-generated image of her and threatened to make it go viral.
"Although the accused deleted the image, he had made threats. A case was registered, but the complainant did not provide substantial details," he told the House.
During the investigation of the second case, police recovered crucial evidence from devices linked to Kharat's associates.
"During the investigation of Jadhav, Kharat's associate Yogesh Bhalerao showed some videos. Police found that as many as 35 videos of eight women were stored on the mobile handset," Fadnavis said.
He alleged that Kharat posed as a religious figure to exploit women.
"Kharat presented himself as a self-proclaimed religious figure and engaged in acts of rape and obscene behaviour with women. One of the witnesses who attempted to produce evidence feared for his life from Kharat," the chief minister stated.
Fadnavis informed the assembly that a lookout circular was issued against Kharat on March 10 to prevent him from leaving the country, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate cases against him.
On March 17, a woman lodged a complaint at the Sarkarwada police station in Nashik, alleging that she was called to Kharat's office at the 'Canada Corner' building, given water, and later threatened with her husband's life before being repeatedly sexually assaulted, the CM maintained.
"Kharat was arrested on March 17. During searches, police seized two laptops, one revolver, and 21 live cartridges, and found that he owned a farmhouse in Mirgaon in Nashik district," Fadnavis said, adding that the investigation against the 'religious figure' was formally handed over to the SIT on March 19.
"Three women have agreed to file complaints, and a total of six cases have been filed so far in connection (related to sexual assault and exploitation). All photos and videos (related to the cases) have been removed from social media, and a notice has been issued to a news channel to reveal the identity of a survivor," he said.
Detailing one of the cases, Fadnavis said between February 2020 and March 18, Kharat allegedly repeatedly called a woman to his office, made her consume "enchanted water," and sexually assaulted her under the guise of religious rituals.
"She became pregnant, and Kharat later gave her pills for abortion. He also threatened her," the CM stated.
The chief minister said the SIT would also examine the possible involvement of government officials in the cases filed against the accused.
"We are also going to investigate if any (government) officials are involved in these cases. We will find out whether Kharat accumulated wealth in the names of his relatives or close aides," he said.
Responding to a query by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav on when the names of officials would be disclosed, Fadnavis stated, "We have deliberately entrusted the SIT probe to a woman officer who has a good track record. Every piece of evidence will be recorded, and all those involved will face action."