Nashik astrologer Ashok Kharat's case takes shocking twist: Plastic snakes, tiger-skin fabric, used to terrorise clients; sold Rs 1,00,000 ‘energised stones’

The investigation into Nashik's self-styled godman Ashok Kharat's sexual assault case took a U-turn when it was revealed that the influential astrologer allegedly created staged setups using plastic snakes, tiger-skin patterned fabric and hidden props to threaten his clients, reports TOI's Abhilash Botekar. “He allegedly created staged setups using plastic snakes, tiger-skin patterned fabric, and concealed props to frighten clients,” an officer told TOI.

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Nashik astrologer viral video

According to a report in Times of India, the alleged fraud by Ashok Kharat also involved the sale of so-called “energised stones", the complainants claimed. The victims claimed that Kharat’s staff procured wild tamarind seeds for about Rs 100 per kilogram, polished them, and presented them as sacred objects.


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“After people confided in him about their personal issues, Kharat would appear to perform rituals on these stones and seeds sourced from Nashik Road, and then offer them as ‘blessed’ items priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1,00,000,” a senior investigating officer told TOI.

The retired Merchant Navy officer, accused of sexually exploiting women, allegedly ran a sophisticated scheme of psychological manipulation and fraud at the Ishanyeshwar Temple in Mirgaon, located in Sinnar taluka. According to investigators, Ashok Kharat used these tactics to gain the trust of high-profile clients before eventually extorting substantial sums of money from them. Senior police officials said that the investigation suggests Ashok Kharat used dramatic, fear-inducing tactics to deceive and intimidate visitors.

Kharat, a retired Merchant Navy officer popularly known as “Captain,” was arrested last week following a rape complaint filed by a 28-year-old woman, who alleged that he repeatedly sexually assaulted her over a period of three years, from 2022 to 2025.

"One of the complainants alleged that Kharat would procure these items from the market and arrange them inside the temple before a client's visit. He would begin the so-called ritual upon their arrival, completing it in a way that left clients visibly shaken. Once they were terrified, Kharat would step in as a divine healer, performing choreographed rituals to supposedly dispel the threats. This engineered sense of relief helped him gain psychological dominance over them, after which victims would donate lakhs of rupees to his trust," the officer was quoted as saying by TOI.

Ashok Kharat targeted pregnant women

Nashik police have registered two more cases of rape and other charges against influential astrologer Ashok Kharat. While one case relates to a complaint lodged by Kharat's former employee accusing him of sexually assaulting the complainant's seven-month pregnant wife for almost two years on the pretext of performing spiritual rituals, the other case relates to a complaint by another woman.

A woman accused Kharat of repeatedly raping her between February 2020 and March this year, allegedly luring her with promises of a secure future after her marital discord and divorce. She also claimed that he sedated her and terminated her pregnancy after she informed him about it, police said. Kharat, who was arrested on March 17 in the first rape case, remains in police custody till March 24.

In a separate complaint, Kharat’s former employee alleged that he joined Kharat’s property development office in Nashik in 2019 after struggling to earn through grocery trade and land dealings. He claimed that Kharat molested his wife under the pretext of blessing her for a healthy child.

After his wife shared her ordeal, the complainant said he began investigating Kharat’s activities and secretly installed a CCTV camera in his cabin to gather evidence. According to the complaint, the footage allegedly showed Kharat forcing women visiting his office to consume sedative-laced drinks as part of an Aghori ritual before incapacitating and raping them.

The complainant further alleged that when he confronted Kharat, he was fired from his job. He also claimed that Kharat threatened him and his family after learning about the video evidence. He said he initially refrained from approaching the police due to Kharat’s alleged links with senior politicians, but decided to file a complaint after learning about his arrest by Nashik police.

(With TOI inputs)