Major Financial Scam Uncovered in Ashok Kharat Case Involving Over 130 Fake Bank Accounts

Nashik, April 3: A significant financial scam has emerged during the investigation of self-proclaimed guru Ashok Kharat. He is already facing serious allegations of sexual exploitation of women and financial fraud under the guise of spirituality.

Preliminary investigations reveal that Kharat allegedly opened over 130 fake bank accounts during the years 2021-22, according to crime branch officials. These accounts were registered under various individuals’ names and facilitated transactions worth millions of rupees.

Officials state that these accounts were operated through financial institutions such as Samta Credit Institute and Jagdamba Credit Institute.

In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that Kharat himself was listed as the nominee for all these accounts. Investigators have found evidence indicating that transactions worth millions of rupees occurred in a single day through these accounts. Authorities estimate that over 500 million rupees have been transacted through this network so far.

The investigation has raised suspicions about the involvement of influential individuals in this case. Authorities are also probing whether relatives’ names were used to open some of these accounts, although this has not been officially confirmed yet.

This financial irregularity was uncovered during interrogations of two suspects previously arrested by the Shirdi police.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the case is now investigating large-scale financial irregularities and potential money laundering. Sources suggest that illegal funds collected from devotees may have been laundered through hawala to conceal their origins.

Meanwhile, the SIT was preparing to question Kharat’s wife, but she fled before the action could be taken. Subsequently, their son was taken into custody.

Initially, he was uncooperative during questioning but later admitted that large sums of cash frequently arrived at their home, although he claimed he did not know the source of the money.

He also acknowledged that all financial transactions were under his father’s complete control. The SIT is now preparing to conduct a financial investigation into an institution named ‘Shivanika Institute,’ which is allegedly linked to Kharat. They will examine whether religious platforms were used to legitimize illegal funds.