Maharashtra Minister Orders Immediate Review and Cancellation of Water Grant Following Founder's Arrest
In a significant development, Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has ordered an immediate review and cancellation of a 2020 order that granted bulk water allocation to Shri Shivanika Sansthan. This decisive action comes directly in response to the recent arrest of the trust's founder, prominent astrologer Ashok Kumar Kharat (67), in a serious rape case.
Arrest Triggers Government Scrutiny of Water Allocation
The case unfolded when a 28-year-old woman filed a complaint alleging that Kharat had sexually assaulted her repeatedly over a three-year period from 2022 to 2025. Following this complaint, Nashik police arrested Kharat on Wednesday, setting off a chain of events that has now reached the highest levels of state government.
Speaking to media representatives in Ahilyanagar on Saturday, Minister Vikhe Patil announced that a comprehensive inquiry has been initiated into the 2020 order that allocated water from the crucial Darna project to the trust. The minister issued clear directives to officials to revoke the water allocation without any unnecessary delay, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Original Water Allocation and Political Connections Under Scrutiny
The original water allocation was based on a June 25, 2020, cabinet sub-committee resolution that specifically cited the growing number of visitors to the Ishaneshwar Temple in Mirgaon, Sinnar taluka, which is managed by the trust. The resolution also highlighted the lack of major water facilities in what is recognized as a drought-prone area of Maharashtra.
However, the case has ignited a substantial political debate regarding Kharat's alleged connections and the influence he reportedly wielded across various levels of government. Minister Vikhe Patil openly stated that Kharat enjoyed support from several senior officers and politicians, which significantly aided both the establishment of the Sansthan and the subsequent approval of its water grant.
Minister Credits Police Action and Addresses Personal Associations
The minister specifically credited the Shirdi police for their diligent work in exposing Kharat's alleged misdeeds. He revealed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had personally issued a lookout circular to prevent Kharat from potentially escaping the country as the investigation progressed.
Addressing photographs circulating on social media that showed him with the accused, Vikhe Patil offered clarification that he had accompanied then-Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to the temple in his official capacity as guardian minister. "I want to make it clear that while I was present in my official role, I remained outside during the actual rituals performed at the temple," the minister stated emphatically.
Political Support for Reassessment and Broader Implications
Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has publicly backed the decision to re-examine the water allocation, offering important perspective on the matter. While acknowledging that water-related decisions are typically taken based on information available at the time, Bhujbal stressed that such allocations must be reassessed when serious criminal allegations emerge against those involved.
Regarding the resignation of women's commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar in connection with the case, Bhujbal offered measured commentary. "As a resident of Pune, she may not have been fully aware of Kharat's activities and background," he noted. "This situation serves as an important reminder that public figures must remain exceptionally vigilant about the people they engage with, as they are closely observed by the public at all times."
The trust in question manages the Ishaneshwar Temple located in Mirgaon within Sinnar taluka, and the water allocation from the Darna project was intended to address the needs of increasing numbers of visitors to this religious site. However, with the founder now facing serious criminal charges, the entire allocation process is undergoing rigorous governmental scrutiny that may have far-reaching implications for how such resources are distributed in the future.
