Self-styled godman Ashok Kharat charged with case of extortion, Opposition demands strict action

Opposition has rallied against the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra after more evidence emerged against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat and after an objectionable video of Maharashtra Minister Narhari Zhirwal went viral, allegedly showing him in a compromising position with a transgender. The Opposition has now demanded that the Minister be sacked from the cabinet. Mr Zhirwal is the second leader from NCP after Rupali Chakankar who has found himself surrounded in a controversy. Ms Chakankar had to resign as the chief of Maharashtra women’s panel after her name had emerged in the Ashok Kharat matter.

More evidence

Another case has been registered against self-styled godman and sexual assault accused Ashok Kharat, alleging cheating, instilling fear of death, taking the total to eight cases. 

A Pune-based businessman filed the case with the Sarkarwada Police Station on Wednesday night. According to the complaint of businessman Rajendra Jasud, he was manipulated and extorted by instilling fear of death. He alleged that Kharat extorted money and foreign trips to 21 countries from 2018 to 2025 under the guise of gaining divine powers to curb the sarpa dosh (death due to snakebite) and bring success. 

According to police, the survivor funded the trips and made financial transactions, thinking that he would achieve success, but that did not happen. The SIT, headed by IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute, is probing all cases, including assault cases, digital transactions, and tracking all financial transactions and property holdings. 

On March 18, Kharat was arrested over rape charges by a woman accusing him of assaulting her for over a period of three years; thereafter, he was also accused of black magic and human sacrifice. The police are investigating sexual assault charges, while the Income Tax department is probing financial trails. 

The Kharat episode has triggered political uproar in Maharashtra. Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders demanded the resignation of Mahayuti party leaders associated with Kharat, including NCP leader Rupali Chakankar, who later resigned. 

Calling Kharat as Bhondubaba, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal said, “Dozens of ministers and senior officials are involved in the Bhondubaba case, but the most shameful thing is that the chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, Chakankar, had relations with Bhondubaba, who sexually exploits women. 

Minister Narhari Zirwal’s video

Mr. Sapkal also pointed out that after Ms. Chakankar, the glory of NCP leader and state’s Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal has come to the fore, saying, “While Maharashtra has been embarrassed enough by the lewd acts of dozens of ministers in the Mahayuti government who attended the immoral court of Bhondubaba Ashok Kharat, the objectionable video of another minister is going viral on social media. Both incidents reflect the moral decline of Maharashtra politics.” 

On Thursday, he demanded NCP leader and Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal’s resignation after a video allegedly showing him with a transwoman in a compromising position at his official residence. 

“The objectionable video is not just an isolated incident; it reflects the moral decline in Maharashtra’s politics,” said Mr. Sapkal, adding that it is shocking to see such unethical behaviour of a public representative in whom people have invested their faith and money. 

“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should now show Narhari Zirwal the way out of the cabinet without any delay,” he added. 

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also criticised the video but called it an outcome of internal conflict between the allies of Mahayuti, saying, “This gang war within the allies is trying to cut each other, which is not in good faith for the state.” 

He also highlighted that a similar case is the one with Ashok Kharat, who exploited so many women. 

Meanwhile, Social activist Anjali Damania on Thursday said, “Mr Zirwal should have been careful of the residence he was using; however, it is clear that the video was shot with the intention to blackmail, hence it requires investigation. 

Sambhaji Brigade created a stir by asking for Ashok Kharat to be shot dead.