ED to investigate into assets of self-styled godman Kharat; call record leaks will be probed: Fadnavis

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will investigate into the assets of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat who is accused in multiple cases of rape and property-related fraud, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday (April 5, 2026). He also said that the leak of call detail records (CDR), which allegedly exposes exchange of calls between Kharat and some political leaders in the State, will be probed.

“The leak of call data records in the Ashok Kharat case will be probed and strict action would be taken. No one has the right to access call data records, only authorised agencies may do so. How this data was leaked and by whom will be investigated by the State government,” Mr. Fadnavis said. He said mere allegations were not enough in sensitive cases and that action would be taken on the basis of evidence.

The Chief Minister made the comments after social activist Anjali Damania alleged that there were 17 phone calls between Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the rape-accused Kharat.

‘12 cases registered so far’

“All accounts of Kharat have come to our notice and the transactions through them have been identified. It is my firm belief that all illegal assets and wrongdoing will be exposed,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

He said that more and more individuals were coming forward with information about Kharat as “people’s confidence is increasing”. Around 12 cases have been registered so far, he added. People should trust the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the cases, Mr. Fadnavis said.

“The SIT is receiving a lot of inputs, and we will not stop until we dig out the entire root of this issue. Strict punishment will be given in cases involving misconduct or atrocities against women. There is consensus across Maharashtra on this, and for us, this issue is above politics,” he said.