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.

Mumbai: The Dongri Police Station has registered a robbery case after a 38-year-old waiter was allegedly threatened at knifepoint and robbed of ₹8,000 in the early hours of Friday. In this case, Dongri Police have arrested three accused, identified as as Ramzan Shakeel Shaikh (22), Ibrahim Shamshodh Ahmed Shaikh (20), Aman Rakesh Shaikh (18), and Tajuddin Yajuddin Shaikh (22).

The complainant, Saddam Siddique Shaikh, a resident of Nandlal Jani Marg near a beer godown in Wadi Bunder, Dongri, stated that the incident occurred around 3:00 am on April 10, 2026.

According to the complaint, while the victim was asleep at his residence, four accused knocked on his door and called him outside. Once he stepped out, the accused identified as Ramzan Shakeel Shaikh (22), Ibrahim Shamshodh Ahmed Shaikh (20), Aman Rakesh Shaikh (18), and Tajuddin Yajuddin Shaikh (22)—allegedly threatened him with a knife and forcibly took ₹8,000 from his pocket.

Based on the complaint,Dongri police registered an FIR under Sections 309(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police have arrested three accused Ramzan Shaikh, Aman Shaikh, and Tajuddin Shaikh while one accused, Ibrahim Shaikh, remains absconding.

The arrested accused have been remanded to police custody until April 13. The case is being investigated by PSI Gokul Shinde. Further investigation is underway.

Mumbai: Opposition to uniforms has emerged as a hurdle in the BMC’s plan to deploy Junior Supervisors (JS) for cleanliness enforcement, even as the civic body remains without a dedicated mechanism more than a year after scrapping the Clean-Up Marshal scheme.

The civic body had proposed uniforms for the team, but JS have opposed the move, stating it could hamper their effectiveness in field operations, said civic sources. Officials said JS will be issued official identity cards, with strict authorisation for fine collection limited to designated personnel. Each penalty will be receipt-based to ensure transparency and prevent abuse of power, with JS assigned specific zones for enforcement of cleanliness regulations.

After scrapping the controversial Clean-Up Marshal scheme in April 2025 over allegations of extortion and misconduct, the BMC proposed deploying 246 JS across Mumbai’s 26 wards to conduct street patrols, monitor cleanliness, and take penal action against littering and other violations.

The civic body is working on a permanent, staff-based enforcement model aimed at improving accountability and transparency in civic sanitation operations. However, the plan remains at the planning stage and is yet to be implemented.

A senior civic official said that the JS will be required to carry out street patrols along with their regular duties. “This time, we want to implement the system without any errors. A printing device has already been prepared, and the JS have undergone training on how to interact with citizens while issuing fines, generating receipts, and collecting penalties.

However, the timeline for rollout is yet to be finalised,” the official said. Kiran Dighavkar, deputy Municipal Commissioner said, “There is no plan of drive till date.” Meanwhile, the BMC has revised its Solid Waste Management and Sanitation By-laws, 2025, after two decades, significantly increasing fines for littering, spitting, and other waste-related violations.

The revised penalty chart includes offences such as feeding animals in public places and failing to clean up pet waste. Segregation of wet and dry waste has been made mandatory, while illegal transport of construction debris without permission attracts the highest fine of Rs. 25,000.