Mumbai, May 21: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Ashok Kumar Eknath Kharat, also known as ‘Captain’, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on May 19. Kharat, who claimed to be a messenger of God, was presented in a PMLA court in Mumbai, where he was remanded to ED custody for seven days until May 26.
This action by the ED was initiated based on an FIR registered at the Governmentwada police station in Nashik. The FIR included various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 2023, and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil, and Ghastly Practices and Black Magic Act. Subsequent FIRs from Shirdi and Rahata police stations were also incorporated into the PMLA investigation.
The investigation revealed that Kharat was allegedly running a well-organized extortion racket under the guise of religious and spiritual activities. He portrayed himself as an incarnation of Lord Shiva, claiming to possess supernatural powers and divine knowledge.
According to the ED, Kharat instilled fear of death, black magic, and misfortune in people, emotionally manipulating them. He reportedly extorted large sums of money and valuable assets from victims under the pretext of fabricated rituals, so-called religious remedies, and ‘avatar worship’.
One shocking case involved the extortion of approximately ₹5.62 crore from a complainant. The ED stated that this amount was used to purchase a luxury Mercedes car, fund foreign trips, cover medical treatments in the USA, and develop farmhouse properties. The agency claims Kharat amassed millions through this scheme, ensnaring numerous individuals.
Further investigations under the PMLA revealed that the ‘proceeds of crime’ from the alleged extortion and fraud were laundered through multiple bank accounts, cooperative credit societies, and proxy accounts opened in various individuals’ names.
The ED reported that Kharat operated several anonymous accounts and fixed deposits through two cooperative credit societies, depositing large amounts of cash that were later converted into fixed deposits and withdrawn as cash. The investigation also uncovered that Kharat maintained control over these accounts using his mobile number and nominee details, utilizing the illicit funds to purchase assets.
The ED conducted extensive searches on April 13, 14, 17, 23, May 5, and May 18, under Section 17 of the PMLA, targeting multiple residential and commercial properties, bank lockers, and vehicles linked to Kharat and his associates.
During these raids, the agency seized ₹13.92 crore in cash, $5,500 in foreign currency (approximately ₹5.11 lakh), and around ₹1.12 crore in gold and silver jewelry. Additionally, ₹2.25 crore in bank deposits were frozen, along with a luxury Mercedes car.
The ED also recovered several incriminating documents, digital devices, and records related to assets during the searches, which have been confiscated for further investigation. The agency indicates that more revelations are expected in this case, and the roles of other individuals involved in this network are also under scrutiny.
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