ED Files Prosecution Complaint Against Fake Godman Ashok Kharat In Alleged ₹42.88 Crore Money Laundering

The ED filed a prosecution complaint against self-styled godman Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat alias Captain Bondhu Baba, his wife Kalpana Kharat, and four others for alleged ₹42.88 crore money laundering linked to extortion, fraud, and cheating.

Kharat allegedly exploited devotees' faith by falsely claiming to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva with supernatural powers, coercing them into paying for 'Avatar Poojas' and donations through fear of financial ruin or divine wrath.

The ED alleged that Kharat laundered proceeds through 108 accounts in Samata Nagari Sahakari Patsanstha at Rahata and 34 benami accounts in Jagdamba Mata Gramin Bigarsheti Sahakari Patsanstha Maryadit at Sinnar, opened without KYC compliance.

Around ₹21.25 crore was deposited in the Rahata cooperative society, with ₹23.87 crore withdrawn; in Sinnar, ₹1.86 crore was deposited and ₹3.18 crore withdrawn on maturity.

Searches led to seizure of ₹13.92 crore in cash, foreign currency worth ₹5.18 lakh, and gold/silver jewellery; the complaint is backed by 37 witness statements and evidence of properties acquired across Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, Solapur, and Mumbai.