Overview
- The Enforcement Directorate filed a more-than-3,000-page prosecution complaint on Friday that names Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat, his wife Kalpana and four others as accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and reports about Rs 36.90 crore in assets attached, seized or frozen.
- Kharat was first arrested by Nashik police after a rape complaint on March 18 and was taken into ED custody on May 19; he remains in judicial custody as separate criminal cases over sexual exploitation and alleged ritual fraud continue.
- The ED alleges Kharat lured followers with claims of being an incarnation of Lord Shiva and charged for 'Avatar Poojas' to extract cash and property from devotees through fear and false healing promises.
- Investigators say the alleged laundering used two cooperative credit societies, numerous benami and operational accounts, structured cash deposits and withdrawals, cash handlers who moved funds, and purchases of immovable property in relatives' names.
- The chargesheet is supported by witness statements, annexures and material seized during April–May searches including cash, jewellery, a vehicle and property documents, and the Special PMLA Court in Mumbai is expected to take cognisance next.