Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, May 22: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, also known as ‘Captain’, on serious allegations of money laundering and extortion carried out under the guise of spiritual and religious practices. A special PMLA court in Mumbai has remanded him to ED custody till May 26.
According to officials, Kharat came to light earlier this year after Nashik Police arrested him in a rape case involving allegations of sexual exploitation of women under the pretext of conducting religious rituals. The case subsequently led to wider investigations into his financial dealings.
The ED has alleged that the accused ran a well-organised extortion network by projecting himself as an incarnation of Lord Shiva and claiming to possess supernatural powers. Victims were allegedly misled through fear, black magic claims, and emotional manipulation.
Investigators stated that followers were forced to spend huge sums on so-called spiritual activities including “Avatar Pooja”, religious remedies, and guidance. In one instance, a complainant is said to have spent around ?5.62 crore on a luxury Mercedes car, foreign travel, medical treatment in the United States, and farmhouse development at his direction.
The agency further revealed that the alleged proceeds of crime were routed through multiple bank accounts, cooperative credit societies, and benami accounts opened in the names of unsuspecting individuals. Large cash deposits were reportedly converted into fixed deposits and later withdrawn in cash.
During searches conducted in April and May 2026 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED seized cash worth ?13.92 crore, foreign currency worth $5,500 (around Rs 5.11 lakh), and gold and silver jewellery valued at ?1.12 crore. Officials also froze bank deposits of ?2.25 crore and seized a high-end Mercedes car.
The agency said that several incriminating documents, digital devices, and property records have been recovered, and further investigation is in progress.