Nashik: Kharat Named Nominee In 100+ Accounts, ₹70 Crore Benami Assets Unearthed

Nashik: While the SIT’s intensive investigation into the high-profile self-styled godman Ashok Kharat case is underway, several shocking revelations are coming to light. It has now emerged that Kharat built benami assets worth nearly ₹70 crore within just four years while expanding his business network across Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar districts. Significantly, he has reportedly admitted during interrogation that all the transactions were carried out in cash.

After seizing data from his mobile phone, the SIT has obtained crucial evidence. According to the findings, Kharat had made large-scale investments in Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar. In several transactions, the names of other individuals were allegedly used as partners. Through two credit societies, Samata and Jagdamba, accounts were opened in the names of different people, while the transactions on these accounts were allegedly operated by Ashok Kharat himself. The investigation has also exposed an alleged money-lending racket through which people’s lands were reportedly transferred into his name. Police have written to both credit societies seeking details of Kharat’s accounts.

At the Kopargaon branch of Samata Urban Cooperative Credit Society, a total of 57 account holders had opened more than 100 accounts. Sources indicate that Kharat’s name appears as the nominee on each of these accounts.

Transactions worth approximately ₹60 crore have reportedly taken place through these accounts. Of these, eight accounts belong to members of Kharat’s family. It has also come to light that account holders with the surname Chakankar are linked to these accounts. All these accounts are reportedly connected to Ashok Kharat’s mobile number.

Further, information has surfaced that among the accounts where Kharat is listed as the nominee, there are two names, Pratibha Chakankar and another individual with the same surname. Since Pratibha is also the name of the sister of former State Women’s Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar, police have now begun investigating that angle as well.