Ashok Kharat Faces PMLA Action Amid Serious Criminal Charges

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Mumbai seeking a production warrant against self-styled godman-astrologer Ashok Kharat.

Kharat is facing serious allegations, including rape, fraud, extortion, religious manipulation, and drug-facilitated assault on multiple women. The ED registered its case on April 6, based on an FIR filed by Nashik police.

The agency has now sought his custody as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation. The PMLA court is scheduled to hear the ED’s plea on Saturday.

Officials said the case involves examining financial transactions linked to the alleged offences, with investigators probing whether illicit funds were generated and laundered through various channels.

The development marks a significant step in the multi-agency probe into the accused’s activities.