Rohan Umak
Astrologer Ashok Kharat case: Ashok Kharat, a self-styled astrologer and godman from Maharashtra’s Nashik, who had already been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a woman, is now under scrutiny again, as his name has surfaced in a suicide case dating back to 2022, the police said. As per police, they have reopened the investigation into Kharat, following claims that his name was earlier dropped from the chargesheet, despite being mentioned in a suicide note.
For the unversed, Kharat, a former Merchant Navy Officer, who styled himself as ‘Captain,’ was arrested on March 17, after a woman accused him of violating her over a period of three years.
Suicide note mentioned Kharat’s name
The development emerged after the family of one Vikas Ramdas Divate (37), who died by suicide in 2022, alleged that crucial evidence had been overlooked. In a note recovered after his death, Divate explicitly named Kharat as one of those abetting him to commit suicide, and also accused him of harassment and threats. He also mentioned in the suicide note that call recordings supporting his allegations were stored on his cell phone. The note read, “I am ending my life..the person responsible for my death is ‘Captain’ Kharat from Nashik.”
Divate’s kin allege cover-up
Divate’s brother recently alleged that although Kharat was initially named in the First Information Report (FIR), his name was later dropped from the chargesheet, providing him a clean chit. His kin, while raising questions over the probe carried out earlier, said, “Despite clear allegations in the suicide note, no action was taken against him.”
Astrologer Ashok Kharat case: Cops reopen case, seek more complaints
Senior police officials said that the abetment to suicide case is now being re-examined and Kharat’s role will be probed afresh. The cops have also urged potential victims to step forward, indicating the possibility of more complaints.
Police earlier recovered 58 videos from Kharat’s pen drive
During the ongoing probe into the sexual assault case, the police had earlier recovered 58 video clips from a pen drive which belongs to Kharat, including several objectionable videos, intensifying concerns over the scale of alleged misconduct.
Case triggers political repercussions
Notably, the case has also triggered political repercussions. Maharashtra State Commission of Women, Rupali Chakankar resigned from her post after her alleged association with Kharat surfaced. Images and videos showing Chakankar alongside Kharat had begun making rounds online, fuelling controversy further.
