ED moves special court in Mumbai for custody of rape accused ‘godman’ in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved a special PMLA court in Mumbai seeking a production warrant against self-styled godman-cum-astrologer Ashok Kharat, facing rape and fraud charges, in a money laundering case.

The ED filed a criminal case against Kharat under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on April 6, taking cognisance of a Nashik police FIR filed against the ‘godman’ on charges of extortion, religious manipulation, and drug-facilitated assault on multiple women victims.