A major controversy is raging in Maharashtra politics involving Ashok Kumar Kharat (also known as Captain Ashok Kharat), a self-styled astrologer. He allegedly formed physical relationships with women from the families of officers, ministers, and wealthy households, and then secretly recorded videos of these acts.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj) – A 67-year-old self-proclaimed astrologer from Nashik, Maharashtra, who previously served as a Navy employee, has today become a major topic of discussion across Maharashtra and the entire country. Ashok Kumar, who presented himself as a retired Merchant Navy officer and a powerful astrologer/numerologist, developed close relationships with women from affluent families, MLAs, ministers, officials, and their households in the state. Taking advantage of this proximity, he allegedly entered into physical relations with countless women.
According to some reports, Ashok Kumar would call women—who approached him to resolve their personal problems—to his office under the pretext of solving their issues. He would then exert pressure by instilling fear through tantra-mantra, ghosts, or spirits, forcing them into physical relations with him. He secretly videographed these acts using cameras installed in his office and used the recordings to blackmail the victimised women, compelling them to continue the relations repeatedly.
A 35-year-old woman filed a complaint of sexual exploitation against Ashok Kumar at Gangapur Police Station in Nashik. She stated that Kharat had been continuously exploiting her for several years and was blackmailing her. The police arrested him, and Ashok Kumar remains in police custody until April 1.
Police recovered obscene videos related to 58 women from hidden cameras in his office. Eight cases under the Maharashtra Black Magic Act (Anti-Black Magic Law) and cheating have been registered against him. A businessman has also levelled allegations of cheating him of approximately ₹5 crore.
The Maharashtra government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of IPS officer Tejaswini Satpute to investigate sexual exploitation, cheating, and his financial assets (estimated in crores of rupees). So far, police have received over 50 complaints against Ashok Kumar.
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Government Grants and Facilities to the Temple:
● Temple Grant: According to reports, in 2018, the Maharashtra government approved ₹1.05 crore for development works at Shri Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple (established by Ashok Kharat) located in Mirgaon village, Sinnar taluka, Nashik district.
● Tourism Fund: The temple was declared a ‘C’ grade tourist spot. As per government documents, approximately ₹25 lakh was released for the sabha mandap, parking, and arrangements for devotees’ stay.
● Water Supply: In 2020 (during the Uddhav Thackeray government), the trust received special permission for a supply of 39 lakh litres of water from the nearby Darna Dam. A plan was also made for laying a 48 km long pipeline for this purpose.
● Recent Action: After Kharat’s arrest, the current government’s minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil immediately ordered the cancellation of this water allocation and directed a high-level inquiry into the entire matter.
● Photographs of Kharat with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Fadnavis, and other leaders have also gone viral.
Background of Ashok Kumar:
Ashok Kumar, who was a Navy employee, served for 22 years on cargo ships in West Bengal and Thailand. After returning in Nashik, he presented himself before the public with the title of “Captain”. He used his expertise in English, Hindi, and Marathi languages to increase his influence among people. He portrayed himself as a trikalgyani (knower of past, present, and future), an incarnate being, or a part of Lord Krishna, and claimed to be an expert in numerology (ank shastra) and astrology.
In 2002, he started his work in astrology and numerology at Canada Corner in Nashik. Gradually, through his communication skills, he built access to local leaders and the affluent class.
Temple and Assets:
For the establishment of Shri Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple Trust (also known as Shivnika Sansthan), he purchased nearly 45 acres of land in Mirgaon, Sinnar taluka, in 2008-09. He built a highly beautiful temple on the riverbank, along with a farmhouse costing ₹15-18 crore. He was the chairman of this trust. He used to hold a grand darbar (court) here every Sunday, which was attended by VIPs (political leaders, officers, businessmen).
In addition, he had an office in the Okas Properties building at Canada Corner area in Nashik city, where he met clients and where the hidden camera recordings took place. He amassed assets worth ₹150 to 200 crore (farms, flats, offices, marriage halls, etc.). He also received donations, charity, and grants (such as over ₹1 crore from the Tourism Department) through the trust.
Political Links:
Chandrakant Patil (Higher Education Minister, BJP): He too performed puja at the temple and sought blessings to become Chief Minister (allegation by the opposition).
Kharat built proximity with political and influential people through his temple trust (Shri Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple / Shivnika Sansthan, Mirgaon, Sinnar, Nashik). His reach extended to political leaders, ministers, officers, and industrialists.
In November 2022, Eknath Shinde (then Chief Minister, now Deputy Chief Minister) visited the temple along with his wife Lata. After this, Kharat’s popularity increased significantly. At that time, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (then Revenue Minister) and Deepak Kesarkar (then Primary Education Minister) were also with them. This visit was officially described in the capacity of Guardian Minister.
Rupali Chakankar (Chairperson, Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, associated with Ajit Pawar faction of NCP) was included as a trustee (vishwas) in Kharat’s Shivnika Sansthan Trust. Her photos and videos with Kharat (washing feet, holding umbrella) went viral. Because of this, on 20 March 2026, she submitted her resignation (on the instructions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis). She said that she was previously unaware of Kharat’s “real nature”.
Timeline of the Case:
The case started with an FIR filed by Kharat himself. On 29 December 2025, he lodged a complaint at Wavi Police Station stating that he was being blackmailed for ₹5 crore by showing fear of obscene photos/videos. At that time, it appeared as a routine blackmail case and did not attract much attention.
During February 2026, a case was registered against one of Kharat’s associates at Shirdi Police Station regarding morphed obscene images and threats.
On 13 March 2026: Nashik Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking at the seriousness of the matter, led by IPS officer Tejaswini Satpute.
On 17-18 March 2026: A woman filed a complaint at Sarkarwada Police Station. She stated that Kharat had continuously sexually exploited her from 2022 to December 2025, administered intoxicants, and threatened her. After this complaint, the case started gaining massive momentum. Nashik Police arrested Kharat.
Following this, obscene videos related to 58 to over 100 women recorded through hidden cameras were recovered from his office. After this, more women started coming forward with complaints.
Immediately after the arrest, the media and opposition parties (especially Shiv Sena UBT and Congress) called this case “Maharashtra’s Epstein Files” or “Maharashtra’s Epstein Case”. The reason was that Kharat had access to political leaders, ministers, officers, and their families, and there is suspicion that the videos involve women from elite circles.