Nashik (Maharashtra), March 24 A court in Nashik on Tuesday extended the police custody of self-proclaimed spiritual leader Ashok Kharat, who was arrested in a rape case, until March 29.
A man attempted to attack Kharat outside the court, but the police stopped him in time and took him into custody.
Seeking further police custody for the accused, who was arrested on March 18, public prosecutor Ajay Misar said that new evidence of his illegal activities was emerging every day.
The prosecution also alleged that he was involved in human sacrifice and hunting of deer for their skin and musk.
The special investigation team (SIT) investigating the case has recovered a revolver, 21 cartridges and five empty shells, as well as Rs 6 lakh in cash, two laptops and some documents from his possession, the prosecution said.
SIT officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Kirankumar Suryavanshi, also provided information about the investigation to the court.
Addressing the court, Kharat denied any involvement in black magic. In response to reports that he possessed a mechanical king cobra and a tiger that he used to terrorize people, he said he knew nothing about such things.
Although his lawyers opposed the police's request, the court extended Kharat's police custody until March 29.
Activist Trupti Desai of Bhumata Brigade attempted to attack Kharat when he was brought to the court, but the police stopped her.
A man in the crowd also attempted to attack Kharat when the police left the courtroom, but he was stopped and detained. Some people in the crowd also tried to attack the police vehicle taking Kharat out of the court premises.
According to the SIT, six criminal cases have been registered against Kharat so far, and the victims include a pregnant woman. The SIT has appealed to the public to share information about these cases or other activities of Kharat. It has also requested the media not to reveal the identity of the women victims.
Kharat, who heads a temple trust at Mirgaon in Sinnar tehsil of Nashik district and had several political leaders visit him over the years, was arrested after a 35-year-old woman accused him of repeated rape over a period of three years.
Subsequently, more cases were registered against him in connection with alleged sexual exploitation of a seven-month pregnant woman and another woman on the pretext of getting her remarried.
"The SIT has discovered 100 objectionable videos and assets worth around Rs 1,500 crore related to him. While the I-T department is investigating the financial irregularities and property holdings of Kharat and people related to him, the cyber police are examining the videos," a senior police official said earlier in the day.