Crime
Ashok Kharat Sexual Exploitation Case: ED Searches 11 locations In Nashik, Shirdi & Pune Linked To Self-Styled Godman
Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted searches at multiple locations in connection with the Ashok Kharat case.
Searches were carried out at five places in Nashik, three in Shirdi, and three in Pune. The searches are ongoing.
Meanwhile, a widening probe into the self-styled godman recently uncovered a massive alleged financial network involving more than 130 bank accounts and transactions exceeding RS 63 crore, with fresh findings pointing towards possible administrative complicity.
The probe gathered pace earlier this month after a Mumbai-based hotelier was alerted by Ahilyanagar Police that over Rs 2.43 crore had been routed through four bank accounts opened in his and his wife’s names, accounts he claims he never authorised. The hotelier suspects that documents submitted to Kharat for a ‘darshan booking’ were misused to open these accounts without his knowledge.
“We approached him believing he was a spiritual healer,” the hotelier said, according to an Indian Express report, adding that neither he nor his family had any connection with the credit society where the accounts were created.
Investigators believe the case is part of a larger, organised operation. According to complaints and bank records examined during the probe, personal documents collected from followers, visitors, and even alleged victims were systematically used to open multiple bank accounts. These accounts were then allegedly used to route and circulate funds between 2021 and 2024.
Authorities have identified a consistent pattern in the modus operandi. Individuals visiting Kharat for spiritual consultations or predictions were asked to submit Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and photographs. These documents were then allegedly used to open bank accounts without consent, enabling large-scale financial transactions.
A large number of these accounts were reportedly opened under two cooperative credit societies, Jagdamba Cooperative Credit Society and Samata Nagari Sahakari Pat Sanstha, both linked to Kharat and his associates. Records show that Kharat served as chairman of the Jagdamba society until 2024, while the Samata society is associated with his co-accused Arvind Pandurang Bawke.
Investigators have traced over 100 suspect accounts to the Samata society and around 32 to Jagdamba. Further, Kharat has been listed as a nominee in at least 100 accounts, with his mobile number appearing across several of them, raising serious red flags.
The case, which initially began with allegations of sexual assault, cheating, extortion, and violations under anti-superstition laws, has now evolved into a major financial investigation. The Enforcement Directorate has also registered a money laundering case against Kharat.
Crime
Man arrested for cheating Delhi Police Constable of Rs 24 Lakh in investment scam

The Cyber Police Station of Delhi Police’s Central District has arrested a 26-year-old man for cheating a woman Constable of approximately Rs 24 lakh in an investment scam, officials said on Saturday.
The accused, identified as Vikrant Kumar alias Vicky Tomar, a resident of Vazidpur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district, was arrested in connection with FIR No. 271/2026, registered on September 8 under Sections 318(4), 316(2) and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the police, the case was registered following a complaint by Constable Shiwani of Delhi Police, who alleged that the accused approached her on Instagram under the pretext of seeking guidance regarding recruitment to the Delhi Police through the sports quota.
The conversation subsequently shifted to WhatsApp, where the accused allegedly established a rapport with the woman and portrayed himself as a prominent figure in cricket.
Investigators said he later persuaded her to invest money by promising high returns. Trusting his assurances, the complainant allegedly transferred her savings from her Axis Bank account, took a personal loan of Rs 12 lakh and borrowed additional money from acquaintances.
The woman was cheated of approximately Rs 24 lakh in total, the police said.
Of the total amount, around Rs 8 lakh was transferred to bank accounts linked to the online betting platform 1x.com, allegedly at the accused’s direction.
The police are investigating the financial transactions to establish the complete money trail and determine whether other individuals or accounts were involved in the alleged fraud.
The complaint also includes allegations of sexual misconduct. According to the police, during an in-person meeting, the accused allegedly touched the complainant’s waist inappropriately with the intention of outraging her modesty.
The allegation forms part of the case registered against him under the relevant provisions of the BNS.
The Cyber Police Station’s Central District team is continuing its investigation to determine whether the accused allegedly defrauded other people using a similar modus operandi.
Officials said efforts were underway to identify potential victims and establish whether additional financial transactions were linked to the case.
The police have not ruled out the possibility of further developments as the investigation progresses.
Business
ED raids Hyderabad firms in Rs 326 crore bank fraud probe

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Hyderabad Zonal Office, on Friday conducted search operations at seven premises across Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri in Telangana under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an official statement said on Saturday.
The raids targeted the registered office of M/s Kanakadhara Ventures Pvt. Ltd. (KVPL), the residences of its directors, and premises linked to entities and individuals alleged to have acted as conduits for the diversion of bank funds.
The searches form part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged “misutilisation” and diversion of credit facilities sanctioned to KVPL and its directors, the ED statement said.
The ED case stems from an FIR dated December 8, 2022, registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Bank Securities and Fraud Branch (BS&FB), Bangalore, on a complaint from Punjab National Bank.
The FIR alleges offences under Sections 120-B, 420, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code, and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
According to the agency, a consortium of banks led by Punjab National Bank — comprising IDBI Bank, Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank (now UBI) and Bank of Baroda — suffered a loss of Rs 326.49 crore.
ED investigations revealed that Bank Guarantee and Letter of Credit facilities granted to KVPL were misused. Funds were allegedly diverted through related and conduit entities on the strength of fabricated steel purchase invoices and transport documents.
The company is also accused of operating bank accounts outside the consortium arrangement without the knowledge of the lending banks, the statement said.
During the searches, officials seized incriminating documents, digital devices and other records related to the diversion and layering of funds. Unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 15 lakh was also recovered.
Multiple immovable properties and investments linked to the case have been identified.
ED said further investigation is underway.
The coordinated action underscores the agency’s continued focus on tracing the proceeds of bank frauds and cracking down on complex money-laundering networks involving corporate entities.
Crime
ED arrests Baneet Singh Talwar in Rs 89 cr narcotics money laundering case

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested Baneet Singh Talwar, son of late Harminder Singh, on Friday, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a major case linked to large-scale narcotics smuggling, an official statement said on Saturday.
Talwar was produced before the Special Judge (PMLA), Tis Hazari Courts (West District), on Friday and remanded to five days of ED custody, the ED press note said.
The ED probe was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the Indian Penal Code against Harpreet Singh Talwar and others.
The NIA has already filed six charge sheets, alleging a conspiracy with an international drug-smuggling syndicate operating from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Dubai under the mastermind Vitaysh Koser alias Raju Dubai, a wanted accused, along with Pakistani ISI agents and Afghan nationals, the statement said.
Investigations have revealed that proceeds amounting to Rs 76 crore generated from the illegal sale of narcotics were transferred via hawala to Afghanistan and used for funding terrorist activities.
Financial probes by the ED have so far identified proceeds of crime totalling Rs 89 crore arising from contraband smuggling, drug sale proceeds siphoned to Afghanistan through hawala channels, and goods received in kind.
Baneet Singh Talwar is brother of Harpreet Singh Talwar. Probe findings show that he continued to manage and operate business entities under the beneficial control of his brother even after the latter’s arrest by the NIA, it said.
He is alleged to have provided more than Rs 55 lakh to M/s Magent India, an entity controlled by Harpreet Singh Talwar and involved in narcotics smuggling.
Financial analysis has uncovered multiple instances of round-tripping of funds, with matching and mirror entries across different entities indicating a structured flow of proceeds of crime.
Baneet Singh is also accused of using cash deposits to finance the purchase of vehicles in the names of benami entities, which have already been seized by the ED, and of parking proceeds to acquire immovable properties whose benefits continue to be enjoyed by Harpreet Singh Talwar and his family.
The ED described the arrest as part of a whole-of-government approach to dismantle the drug-smuggling racket and the nexus involving narcotics trafficking, money laundering and hawala transactions. Further investigation is in progress.
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