Mumbai, March 23 Senior Congress MLA in Maharashtra, Vijay Wadettiwar, demanded HIV tests for all individuals who came into contact with Ashok Kharat, a self-proclaimed religious leader from Nashik, who has been arrested on charges of rape.
Speaking in the assembly, the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) warned against any delay in investigating the charges against Kharat.
"Based on the videos and other evidence that have surfaced in the Kharat case, it is necessary to identify all concerned individuals and conduct HIV tests on them," Wadettiwar said.
He emphasised that mobile call detail records (CDR) of those whose names or faces appear in the video clips should be thoroughly examined to bring all alleged illegal activities of Kharat to light.
Wadettiwar said failure to conduct a timely investigation in the case could turn the matter into a major public health crisis.
The opposition has alleged that several influential persons, including politicians and officials, were in contact with the accused, raising fears that attempts could be made to suppress the case.
Kharat was arrested on March 18 by the Nashik police after a woman accused him of repeated rape over a period of three years.
Later, two more cases were filed against the self-proclaimed religious leader. These cases were related to his alleged sexual exploitation of a woman who was seven months pregnant, and another woman, under the pretext of getting her remarried.
Speaking in the assembly earlier in the day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the police acted proactively in arresting Kharat, who claimed to be a retired Merchant Navy officer.
Several women were initially reluctant to come forward and lodge complaints against Kharat, but they were provided protection by authorities, he said.
"The police proactively arrested Kharat. This is a very serious matter. He misused his so-called powers and behaved inappropriately with women. Preparations to arrest him had been underway for some time," said Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio.
