Kharat remanded in police custody till April 26

Nashik: The Sarkarwada police have secured police custody of astrologer Ashok Kharat (67) till April 26, following allegations of sexual assault, blackmail and practice of superstitious rituals against him.The accused, a resident Nashik, was produced before the court on Friday after he was taken into custody from the Nashik Central Jail on Thursday."Kharat was presented in the court of CJM BN Ichpurani, who after hearing our request, ordered police custody. Kharat was not cooperating regarding the specifics of his operations regarding the manner in which he persuaded women. Police also want to identify the source of the sedatives used by him," said Kiran Bendbhar, the public prosecutor, Nashik.The case against Kharat is built on a complaint filed by a young woman. The victim and her parents initially approached Kharat seeking guidance. Taking advantage of their trust, the accused allegedly sent the parents out of the room and administered a sedative-laced drink to the victim.Between July 2024 and Dec 2024, the accused is alleged to have raped the victim on four separate occasions against her will.Kharat allegedly threatened the victim that he would use his supposed "divine powers" to destroy her life and kill her father if she disclosed the abuse to anyone."The police also want to know if the accused performed dubious religious rituals to extort significant sum of money from the victim and her relatives," Bendbhar said.The Sarkarwada police have registered a case under several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, including Section 64 (rape) and 351 (criminal intimidation). Additionally, the accused faces charges under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.