Mumbai:
The investigation against Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman and astrologer who allegedly threatened women and sexually assaulted them, has revealed chilling details about his modus operandi and how he used threats to keep his heinous crimes under wraps. As more and more women come out to file complaints against Kharat, police are building a strong case against this conman, who used fear and superstition to build a massive empire and sexually abuse women.
The probe has revealed that Kharat created an occult ambience at his office with the use of props such as remote-controlled fake snakes and wildlife artefacts like tiger skins. Investigators have found that he would carefully assess his targets’ financial background, and then stoke their fears and promise miracles to dupe them of lakhs. Items that cost barely Rs 100 would be sold for nearly a lakh, as his clients urged him to find a way out of their problems.
A retired Merchant Navy officer who called himself ‘Captain’, Kharat also had political leaders and VVIPs among his clients, and these connections have now come under the spotlight as the probe deepens. He has been arrested and remanded in police custody. He faces multiple charges, including sexual assault, blackmail, fraud and illegal possession of arms. CCTV videos from his office have gone viral and cops suspect he used the
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