Nashik Astrologer Faces Fresh FIR Over Alleged Rs 57 Lakh Bank Fraud
In a significant development in Nashik, the Sinnar police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against astrologer Ashok Kharat on charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust. The case was filed late on Monday following a complaint from a 45-year-old private employee residing in Ghotewadi, Sinnar taluka.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
The complainant, whose identity has not been disclosed, alleged that a bank account was opened in his name without his knowledge or consent. According to police reports, this account was then used to route transactions totaling over Rs 57 lakh between 2016 and 2023. The man claimed he had never met Ashok Kharat, making the discovery particularly shocking.
The case emerged during an ongoing investigation by the Shirdi police into separate cheating and illegal moneylending cases against Kharat. During their probe, investigators discovered that Kharat allegedly maintained 32 accounts at a non-agricultural credit society in Sinnar. The Shirdi police subsequently forwarded all relevant documents to the Sinnar police for further legal action.
Pattern of Multiple Cases
This marks the 16th case registered against Ashok Kharat to date. Of these previous cases, 11 are with the Sarkarwada police station, with nine currently being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Additionally, one case each has been filed at Shirdi, Rahata, and Srirampur police stations in Ahilyanagar district, while two cases are now with the Sinnar police.
The latest FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating and criminal breach of trust. The charges extend not only to Kharat but also to the manager and other individuals associated with the credit society where the fraudulent account was allegedly opened.
Alleged Lapses in Banking Procedures
The complainant has raised serious concerns about procedural failures at the credit society. He alleged that officials and the board of directors failed to verify mandatory documents such as Aadhaar and PAN cards during the account opening process. Furthermore, he claimed the society did not follow established norms requiring references from two individuals familiar with the account holder, which would typically serve as an additional verification step.
Inspector Hemantkumar Bhamre of the Sinnar police station provided insight into the investigation's direction. "As per the directions of the superintendent of police," he stated, "the case will either be investigated by the Sinnar police or handed over to the SIT, which is already probing multiple cases linked to the astrologer."
The investigation continues as authorities work to unravel the full extent of the alleged financial irregularities and determine appropriate legal actions against all parties involved.
