A Mini Epstein Files From Nashik: A ‘Captain’ Astrologer, Rape Videos And A Cult
The gilded world of Maharashtra’s spiritual and political elite has been rocked to its core following the sensational arrest of Ashok Kharat, a 67-year-old self-styled godman and astrologer known to his followers as “Captain.” What began as a single report of sexual assault in Nashik has rapidly spiralled into a sprawling scandal involving allegations of industrial-scale exploitation, a library of “obscene” videos featuring dozens of women, and a web of high-profile political connections that reach into the very corridors of power in Mumbai and Delhi.
Ashok Kharat, a retired Merchant Navy officer who traded the high seas for the lucrative waters of spiritual consultancy, allegedly operated a sophisticated predatory racket under the guise of divine intervention. According to the First Information Report filed by the Nashik police, Kharat’s modus operandi was as clinical as it was cruel. He would lure women to his office — disguised as a real estate firm named Oakus Property Dealers and Developers — with the promise of solving their personal and financial woes through astrology and ritual. Once inside, victims allege they were administered intoxicants and hypnotised. Kharat then reportedly used the threat of occult curses or the impending death of their husbands to maintain a psychological stranglehold, ensuring their silence while he subjected them to repeated sexual assaults.
The scale of the alleged depravity came to light when the Nashik Crime Branch Unit 1 raided Kharat’s properties. Investigators recovered a pen drive containing video clips of 58 different women, many recorded via hidden CCTV cameras installed within his office. These recordings, police believe, were used as tools of blackmail to ensure the “cult” of the Captain remained impenetrable. The gravity of the discovery has forced the state government to constitute a Special Investigation Team, led by IPS officer Tejaswini Satpute, to sift through the digital evidence and identify the dozens of unidentified women captured in the footage.
Ashok Kharat with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
The arrest itself was a cinematic affair, reflecting the police’s fear that Kharat’s influential backers might tip him off. To nab the “Captain,” officers executed a covert midnight raid on his Nashik farmhouse. In a bid to bypass his security without a struggle, the police created a chaotic diversion outside his residence, shouting “thief, thief” to draw attention. Amidst the confusion, they breached the perimeter and apprehended Kharat in his bedroom before he could react. The subsequent search of the premises yielded a grim inventory: a pistol, live cartridges, and several spent rounds, suggesting the spiritual guide was well-prepared for more earthly confrontations.
Beyond the immediate criminal charges, the case has ignited a ferocious political firestorm that threatens to singe the current administration. Kharat was no fringe eccentric; he was a man of immense social standing, serving as the chairman of the Shri Ishanyeshwar Temple Trust. His retreat in Mirgaon was a frequent stop for celebrities, business tycoons, and senior politicians who sought his counsel on everything from election timing to personal fortune. Photographs of the accused with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other luminaries have flooded social media, but the most intense heat has been directed at Rupali Chakankar, the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women.
The opposition has been quick to pounce.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and Congress representatives have dubbed the scandal “Maharashtra’s Epstein Files,” pointing to the alleged “systemic silence” that allowed Kharat to operate unchecked for years. Images appearing to show Chakankar washing Kharat’s feet in a traditional show of reverence have become a focal point of public outrage. Sushma Andhare of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena has been particularly vocal, questioning how the head of a body designed to protect women could be so closely aligned with a man now accused of serial exploitation. “Should the feet of those who exploit women be washed?” Andhare asked, demanding Chakankar’s immediate resignation.
Ashok Kharat with Rupali Chakankar, the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women
In response to the growing outcry, Rupali Chakankar has attempted to distance herself from the burgeoning scandal. Despite her public appearances with the astrologer, she has pleaded ignorance regarding his private conduct. “I have no idea about Captain Ashok Kharat’s personal life or the allegations currently being made against him. The police will investigate the matter impartially. I have complete faith in the police investigation,” she stated. While she acknowledged attending meetings of the Shivnika Trust for social work, the explanation has done little to quieten her critics, who allege she may have provided the godman with political protection.
As the SIT expands its probe to include Kharat’s vast property holdings across Maharashtra, the investigation is no longer just about the actions of one man. It has become a referendum on the dangerous intersection of blind faith and political patronage.
