Mumbai ED charges godman Ashok Kharat, 5 others; ₹36.90 crore assets seized
Synopsis
A self-styled godman who allegedly posed as an incarnation of Lord Shiva to extort devotees through fake rituals is now facing a PMLA charge sheet in Mumbai. The ED has traced ₹36.90 crore in laundered assets spread across five Maharashtra cities — exposing a sophisticated money trail running through benami accounts and cooperative credit societies.
Key Takeaways
The ED, Mumbai Zonal Office filed a PMLA charge sheet against godman Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat and 5 others , including his wife Kalpana Kharat , on 18 July .
Assets worth ₹36.90 crore have been attached, seized, or frozen in the case to date.
Kharat was arrested on 19 May under Section 19 of the PMLA and remains in judicial custody .
He allegedly posed as an incarnation of Lord Shiva to extort money through 'Avatar Poojas' and false promises of healing and prosperity.
Funds were laundered via two cooperative credit societies and benami accounts , and invested in properties across Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Pune , and Mumbai .
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office, has filed a charge sheet against self-proclaimed godman Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat — also known as Captain and Bondhu Baba — his wife Kalpana Kharat, and four other accused before the Special Court (PMLA) in Mumbai, in connection with a money-laundering case tied to an extortion racket operated under the cover of spiritual practices. Assets totalling ₹36.90 crore have been attached, seized, or frozen in the case to date, the ED said in an official statement on Saturday, 18 July.
Background and Arrest
The ED had arrested Kharat on 19 May under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on charges of money-laundering. He remains in judicial custody. The agency initiated its investigation based on multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by police stations in Sarkar Wada, Shirdi, Sinnar, and Rahata.
How the Racket Allegedly Operated
According to the ED, Kharat exploited the religious faith of devotees by inducing them to part with money and property under the pretext of performing 'Avatar Poojas', curing illnesses, averting misfortune, and guaranteeing business prosperity. He allegedly falsely projected himself as possessing divine powers and as an incarnation of Lord Shiva to deceive followers, thereby generating proceeds of crime through extortion, cheating, and criminal intimidation, the agency said.
Asset Seizures and Money Trail
On 15 July, the ED provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹19.20 crore under Section 5 of the PMLA, 2002, held in the names of the accused and his family members. This was in addition to assets worth ₹17.70 crore seized or frozen during searches conducted under Section 17 of the PMLA at multiple premises, bank lockers, and vehicles linked to the accused and his associates during April and May 2026.
Investigators found that Kharat laundered the proceeds of crime through two cooperative credit societies by fraudulently operating multiple accounts in connivance with an employee, and through multiple benami accounts used for large cash deposits and subsequent withdrawals, including maturity proceeds.
Where the Money Was Invested
The laundered funds were reportedly retained with trusted associates or invested in immovable properties across Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Pune, and Mumbai, registered in the names of Kharat's family members, according to the ED. The case reflects a pattern of faith-based financial exploitation that enforcement agencies have flagged as an emerging category of organised financial crime in Maharashtra.
The matter is now before the Special PMLA Court in Mumbai, and further legal proceedings are expected as the charge sheet is examined by the court.
Point of View
Often citing the sensitivity of religious sentiments; the ED's move here signals a firmer posture. The real test will be whether the charge sheet survives judicial scrutiny and whether the benami property attachments hold — outcomes that will determine how effective PMLA is as a deterrent in this category of crime.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ashok Kharat and why has he been charged?
Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat , also known as Captain and Bondhu Baba, is a self-proclaimed godman from Maharashtra who allegedly exploited devotees' religious faith to extort money and property through fake spiritual rituals. The ED has charged him and five others, including his wife, with money-laundering under the PMLA.
How much money has the ED seized in the Ashok Kharat case?
The ED has attached, seized, or frozen assets worth ₹36.90 crore in total. This includes immovable properties worth ₹19.20 crore provisionally attached on 15 July, and assets worth ₹17.70 crore seized during searches in April and May 2026.
How did Ashok Kharat allegedly launder money?
According to the ED, Kharat laundered proceeds of crime through two cooperative credit societies using fraudulently operated accounts and multiple benami accounts for large cash deposits and withdrawals. The funds were then invested in immovable properties across Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Pune, and Mumbai in the names of family members.
What is the current legal status of Ashok Kharat?
Kharat was arrested on 19 May under Section 19 of the PMLA and has remained in judicial custody since. The ED has now filed a formal charge sheet before the Special PMLA Court in Mumbai, advancing the case to the trial stage.
Which police stations registered FIRs that triggered the ED investigation?
The ED initiated its investigation based on multiple FIRs registered by police stations in Sarkar Wada , Shirdi , Sinnar , and Rahata — all located in Maharashtra.
