SIT gets astrologer Ashok Kharat’s custody till April 23 in 5th sexual assault case

Nashik: The Special Investigation Team probing multiple cases of sexual assault and black magic against astrologer Ashok Kharat secured his custodial remand till April 23 in connection with a fifth case registered at the Sarkarwada police station in Nashik. Kharat was produced before a magistrate via video conferencing on Sunday.Assistant public prosecutor Shailendra Bagade told the court that the fresh case involves serious offences and requires further custodial interrogation. Accepting the prosecution's plea, the court granted a four‑day custodial remand.Kharat has been under arrest since March 17, following the registration of the first complaint.The fifth case pertains to offences under sections 64(1) (rape), 64(2)(m) (repeated rape on the same woman), 75 (sexual harassment) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. The FIR was registered on March 23, and the alleged incidents took place at Kharat's office in the Canada Corner area of Nashik city.According to the complainant, Kharat raped her repeatedly between April 2024 and Dec 2025. She alleged that Kharat used to call her to his office, make her consume a sweet and then sexually assault her, claiming he possessed divine powers and was "purifying" her. She further alleged that he threatened her, saying her children would meet a grim fate, including death by snakebite, if she resisted.APP Bagade said the investigation is at a crucial early stage, and the SIT needs to examine what the sweets were allegedly laced with, probe whether Kharat carried out other illegal activities under the guise of religious practices, and ascertain if he had any accomplices.During the hearing, the defence sought a neurological examination for Kharat, claiming painkillers prescribed for his shoulder pain were ineffective. The court permitted a neurologist to examine him during his routine medical check-up.