Evidence collected from astrologer’s office

Nashik: A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team along with officials of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) went to Okas Properties — the office owned by astrologer Ashok Kharat who is accused of raping women and exploiting people using alleged black magic.According to the police, Kharat allegedly used this location to build a criminal empire based on fear, superstition and abuse. He runs all his business from this very office from where the forensic team collected all possible evidence. Kharat's primary tactic was psychological terror. He convinced victims that he possessed divine powers and warned them of imminent "death curses" or business failures unless they followed his expensive rituals. Following his arrest, many women have come forward alleging that Kharat drugged them with a mysterious "bitter and salty water," that caused them extreme dizziness and heaviness after whcih the victims were subjected to sexual assault.Arms licence of Kharat suspendedMeanwhile, the district administration has suspended the arms licence that was issued to Kharat in Oct 2012.According to resident deputy collector Rohit Rajput, the licence was given to him after he had claimed that he wanted it for self protection. The arms licence was since then periodically renewed."After the complaint was registered against him and based on the report by the police, the licence was suspended immediately. We have issued a 60-day show-cause notice asking Kharat to explain why his arms licence should not be terminated," Rajput said.