Nashik, March 27, 2026 — The investigation into the shocking crimes of Nashik-based astrologer Ashok Kharat has intensified over the last 24 hours. While a special forensics team raided his primary office to gather crucial evidence, police in neighboring Ahilyanagar executed urgent arrests to stop the malicious circulation of explicit videos related to his victims.
Kharat is currently facing multiple serious charges, including rape, sexual assault, and exploiting vulnerable individuals under the guise of black magic and astrology.
Raiding the Center of the “Dark Empire”
On Thursday, a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), accompanied by officials from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), descended upon Okas Properties in Nashik.
According to police, this office served as the central hub for Kharat’s alleged criminal operations—an empire built on fear, superstition, and abuse. Investigators spent hours at the location, systematically collecting all possible physical and digital evidence to build a watertight case against the self-styled astrologer.
As the probe deepens, a chilling modus operandi has emerged. Kharat reportedly used psychological terror to control his targets, convincing them he possessed divine powers. He routinely threatened victims with imminent “death curses” or severe business failures unless they paid for expensive rituals.
Worse still, several women who have courageously stepped forward following his arrest alleged that Kharat drugged them with a mysterious “bitter and salty water.” This concoction caused extreme dizziness and physical heaviness, rendering the victims helpless before they were sexually assaulted.
Crackdown on WhatsApp Video Leaks
In a deeply disturbing development, explicit videos of the victims tied to the Sarkarwada police station FIRs began circulating online. Recognizing the extreme sensitivity of the matter, authorities launched a swift crackdown.
The Ahilyanagar police have officially arrested two men—Rahul Shinde and Yogesh Adhav, both residents of Kopargaon—for distributing the videos on a WhatsApp group named “BMW.” The police are currently conducting a massive manhunt for a third accused, a resident of Majalgaon in Beed district, who allegedly initiated the video chain.
An FIR has been registered at the Kopargaon city police station under Sections 294(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 67(A) of the strict Information Technology Act.
Zero Tolerance: Police Issue a Stern Warning
Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge and Deputy SP Amol Bharti issued a severe public warning to all citizens, social media influencers, and WhatsApp group admins.
Immediate Deletion: Anyone receiving these videos must delete them immediately.
Strict Prosecution: Forwarding, storing, or publishing these videos—including any morphed or AI-generated content related to the victims—will result in immediate arrest and prosecution without exception.
Active Monitoring: Cyber monitoring units of the Maharashtra Police are actively tracking social media platforms to trace anyone violating the privacy and dignity of the victims.
Arms License Suspended
In a related administrative move, the Nashik district administration has officially suspended the arms license issued to Ashok Kharat.
Resident Deputy Collector Rohit Rajput confirmed that the license, originally granted to Kharat in October 2012 for “self-protection,” was immediately suspended based on the police reports. The administration has slapped Kharat with a 60-day show-cause notice demanding an explanation as to why the license should not be permanently terminated.