From Numerology to Blackmail: How a Self-Styled Nashik Astrologer Preyed on Vulnerable Women
Nashik, March 29, 2026 — The shocking case of Ashok Kharat, a 67-year-old self-styled “astrologer-godman” from Nashik, has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra. What began as a single rape complaint has rapidly spiraled into a massive scandal involving psychological manipulation, widespread sexual exploitation, extortion, and deep political connections.
As of this weekend, the Nashik police have registered two fresh FIRs against Kharat, bringing the total number of cases against the so-called “Captain” to 10.
The “Divine” Trap and Sedation
Ashok Kharat, a former Merchant Navy worker who reinvented himself as an influential astrologer and numerologist, was initially arrested on March 17. A 27-year-old woman came forward, alleging that Kharat repeatedly raped and sexually exploited her between 2022 and 2025 under the pretext of using “divine powers” to solve her marital problems.
Since his arrest, several more victims have found the courage to approach the police. Of the 10 registered cases, eight involve serious allegations of rape and sexual assault, while the remaining two involve cheating and extortion.
According to investigators, Kharat utilized a chillingly consistent modus operandi. Operating from his office in Nashik’s Canada Corner and a temple retreat he built in Mirgaon, Kharat would gain the trust of clients seeking solutions for personal, educational, or financial issues. He would allegedly offer female victims drinks laced with sedatives under the guise of “holy water” or “Aghori rituals.” Once incapacitated, he would sexually assault them.
To ensure their silence, victims stated that Kharat used immense psychological terror, threatening that they or their family members would face “divine wrath” or death if they spoke out.
58 Videos and the “Epstein” Comparison
The most alarming discovery occurred during a police raid on Kharat’s properties, where authorities seized a pen drive containing 58 highly objectionable videos and hidden-camera recordings of different women.
Investigators suspect that Kharat actively recorded these assaults to blackmail the women, preventing them from approaching law enforcement. The sheer scale of the recovered digital evidence has prompted opposition leaders in the state to dub the scandal as Maharashtra’s version of the “Epstein Files.”
High-Profile Connections and Extortion
Kharat was not just a small-town godman; he boasted an elite clientele that included top industrialists, celebrities, and politicians across party lines. He frequently prescribed expensive, elaborate rituals and sold cheap copper rings with fake gemstones for exorbitant prices—sometimes up to ₹1,00,000—claiming they were “energised.”
The scandal has taken a significant political turn after photos and videos of Kharat with prominent political figures surfaced online. One viral video shows Rupali Chakankar, the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, washing Kharat’s feet and paying him respect. Pictures of Kharat with top Mahayuti leaders, including Eknath Shinde, have also provided the opposition with heavy ammunition to attack the ruling coalition.
SIT Probe and Government Action
Addressing the uproar, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the state legislative assembly that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by senior IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute has taken over the probe.
The Chief Minister confirmed that authorities acted swiftly to prevent Kharat from fleeing the country. Authorities have already seized approximately ₹40 crore worth of assets belonging to Kharat, including 33 acres of land, farmhouses, and luxury flats.
As the SIT continues to comb through digital evidence and trace financial transactions, more victims are expected to come forward, unraveling the dark empire of the man who manipulated the faith and fears of hundreds.
