The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently conducted new search operations related to a money laundering case involving Nashik-based self-proclaimed godman Ashok Kharat. Kharat is under scrutiny for alleged financial fraud and sexual exploitation of women in the guise of spirituality. The ED conducted raids at Kharat’s commercial premises, the Oaks Property Office, situated in Nashik’s Canada Corner area.
The premises, previously sealed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on March 26 after an extensive search, were targeted in the recent ED operation. An ED official mentioned that the agency is investigating the money laundering case associated with Ashok Kharat. The ongoing probe focuses on suspected financial irregularities, including alleged benami transactions and undisclosed assets linked to Kharat and his associates.
This recent action is part of the ED’s continuous efforts to uncover financial discrepancies. The agency collaborated with the Nashik SIT to access the sealed premises for further investigation. Earlier searches led by the SIT resulted in the seizure of incriminating materials, including documents on property dealings, land transactions, and financial records.
Authorities recovered two sacks of documents during the previous operations, containing details of land entries, suspected benami properties, cheque books, receipts, and financial registers. Electronic evidence such as computers, hard disks, and pen drives were also seized for examination of digital trails and financial connections. In a prior search, the ED seized cash amounting to Rs 42 lakh and froze assets worth nearly Rs 2.4 crore.
The ED is currently analyzing the newly discovered documents and digital evidence to trace the money trail and identify other individuals potentially involved in the alleged laundering activities. Further developments in the case are anticipated as the investigation progresses, according to officials.
