Astrologer Kharat’s SIT custody in ninth case ends; Shirdi police to take custody

Nashik: Astrologer Ashok Kharat, arrested in multiple cases of sexual assault, black magic practices and extortion, was remanded in judicial custody until May 16 by a magisterial court in the city on Monday, after the completion of his police custody in nine cases being probed by the special investigation team (SIT).Kharat has been in SIT custody since March 16. In all, 12 cases have been registered against him at the Sarkarwada police station, nine of which are under SIT investigation. Public prosecutor Kiran Bendbhar said, "SIT officials produced Kharat in a magisterial court via video conferencing. He was subsequently remanded in judicial custody until May 16."Bendbhar added, "Kharat will be transferred in a separate case of cheating and illegal money lending registered with the Shirdi police. The police will detain him and present him in the Rahata court to seek custody," she added.Senior officers in Ahilyanagar said the investigation into the Shirdi case will be conducted locally. They added that the Ahilyanagar police may also take Kharat into custody in connection with another cheating case registered at the Rahata police station, before the Nashik City and Nashik Rural police seek his custody for other pending cases.The SIT, constituted by state govt, is investigating the nine cases registered at the Sarkarwada police station, along with two other cases lodged with the Shirdi and Wavi (Nashik Rural) police stations, in which Kharat is not an accused.In the Shirdi case, Kharat and four others, including his wife Kalpana, are accused of allegedly cheating a farmer and grabbing about four acres of land near Shirdi. Kalpana's whereabouts are still unknown. The police said efforts to trace her are ongoing, and her plea for anticipatory bail was recently rejected by the court.