Astrologer Ashok Kharat's Police Custody Extended in Rape Case as SIT Deepens Probe
A magistrate court in Nashik/Nagpur on Sunday extended the police custody of astrologer Ashok Kharat until April 1 in connection with a rape case. The extension was granted after the investigating officer emphasized the ongoing nature of the probe and the necessity for digital experts to analyze a cloned copy of Kharat's seized mobile phone in his presence.
Digital Forensics and Property Investigation Underway
The special investigation team (SIT) handling the case has obtained the cloned phone copy from the state forensic sciences laboratory. Assistant public prosecutor Shailendra Bagade informed the court that Kharat has cooperated minimally regarding key aspects under investigation. Bagade highlighted concerns that Kharat might have saved important contact numbers under aliases, making verification of the cellphone data in his presence crucial.
Additionally, investigators are working to identify all movable and immovable properties suspected to have been acquired by Kharat, either in his name or through other individuals. In the specific case leading to his arrest, Kharat allegedly gave the victim "salty and bitter water" to drink, which caused her to feel light-headed before he raped her. The SIT is now probing the source of this water and its contents.
Political Controversy and Broader Allegations
The case has sparked political tensions, with a sharp exchange occurring between Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Wadettiwar referenced the police shooting of the Badlapur rape suspect in 2024 and the jail death of US financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, suggesting Kharat could be killed in custody "to protect those in power." He also claimed a pen drive linked to the case might expose influential figures, following former minister Deepak Kesarkar's assertion that 39 MLAs had visited Kharat.
Bawankule challenged Wadettiwar to provide proof of these claims to the police rather than discussing them publicly. Meanwhile, senior SIT officials declined to comment on reports that Rupali Chakankar, former chairperson of the state commission for women, had been summoned for questioning over her connections to Kharat's charitable trust, where she served as a trustee.
Legal Context and Ongoing Proceedings
To date, ten FIRs have been filed against Ashok Kharat, with eight of these related to rape charges. The SIT's investigation continues to focus on digital evidence and property trails, with the court's remand extension allowing for further interrogation and analysis. The case remains under intense scrutiny as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the allegations and any potential networks involved.
