Mumbai: A widening investigation into self-styled godman Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat uncovered an alleged financial network involving more than 130 bank accounts and transactions exceeding Rs 63 crore, with fresh revelations pointing to possible administrative complicity.

The probe gained momentum after a Mumbai-based hotelier received a call from Ahilyanagar Police earlier this month, informing him that over Rs 2.43 crore had been routed through four bank accounts in his and his wife’s names, accounts he claims he never opened. The hotelier suspects that documents he had shared with Kharat for a ‘darshan booking’ were misused to open these accounts.

“We visited him believing he was a spiritual healer,” the hotelier said, adding that he and his family had never visited or interacted with the credit society where the accounts were opened.

Cops believe this case is not isolated. According to complaints and bank records reviewed during the probe, 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 large sums of money between 2021 and 2024, according to the report.

Authorities have identified a recurring pattern: individuals approached Kharat for spiritual consultations or predictions and were asked to submit personal documents such as Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and photographs. These documents were then allegedly used without their knowledge to open bank accounts, into which funds were deposited and circulated.

Kharat Used Cooperative Credit Societies To Move Money

A huge number of these accounts were reportedly opened in the names of 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 linked to his co-accused Arvind Pandurang Bawke. A majority of the financial transactions are believed to have occurred during their tenure.

So far, over 100 suspect accounts have been traced to the Samata society, while around 32 are linked to Jagdamba. Investigators also found that Kharat was listed as a nominee in at least 100 accounts, with his mobile number appearing across several of them.

The case, which initially involved charges of sexual assault, cheating, extortion and violations under anti-superstition laws, has now expanded into a major financial probe. The Enforcement Directorate has also registered a money laundering case against Kharat.

Mumbai: Maintaining cleanliness and adopting hygienic habits is very important. If there is cleanliness, then all other developmental issues are important. Therefore, a central control room (war room) should be set up to ensure that the cleanliness work is done effectively in the Mumbai area. Apart from this, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed that Assistant Commissioners of the concerned administrative departments should make regular field visits to ensure that cleanliness is done properly at the local level.
The meeting held at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters today reviewed various projects, initiatives and activities of the Solid Waste Management Department. Deputy Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner’s Office) Prashant Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar, concerned officers were present on the occasion.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide further said that cleanliness is a regular process. The reason is that it needs to be done regularly and effectively. The coastal roads and highways of Mumbai should be cleaned carefully. There is a lot of traffic on the roads. Therefore, separate vehicles are required to clean these places mechanically. Help should be taken from good organizations to develop special vehicles (custom vehicles) which have various features required for cleaning these roads. He also said that some busy places should be improved in terms of cleanliness and then the same cleanliness should be maintained there too, so that the citizens are aware.
Meanwhile, ten percent of the modern vehicles brought for garbage collection under the solid waste department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation are electronic (e-vehicles). Ashwini Bhide said that the Mumbai Municipal Corporation is the first municipal corporation in the country to use such a large number of large-capacity electronic vehicles for solid waste collection. He also appealed to the citizens and institutions to participate in large numbers in the ‘Mumbai Clean League’ competition organized by the Municipal Corporation to ensure citizen participation in cleanliness.
On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar gave a detailed presentation about various projects, equipment, operations etc. of the Solid Waste Management Department. On this occasion, he said that currently about 7200 metric tonnes of solid waste is collected from Mumbai by the Municipal Corporation and it is disposed of scientifically. A service-based contract system has been adopted to maintain cleanliness across Mumbai. In addition, new vehicles have been brought in terms of solid waste collection and transportation. Earlier, 1,196 vehicles were working for this. However, with the increase in the capacity of the new vehicles, the number of these vehicles has now reached 988. In addition, their colors have also been changed. There are 46 dry waste segregation centers in Mumbai. While 94 vehicles are working full-time for this. A special service has been started by the Municipal Corporation for the collection of domestic sanitary waste. Dighavkar also said that many institutions are effectively utilizing this service.

Quetta, April 9: At least one young man was killed, and several women were injured in a drone strike carried out by Pakistani forces in the Mastung district of Balochistan, local media reported on Thursday.

Citing reports, The Balochistan Post stated that Pakistani forces targeted a house in the Kurdgap area of Mastung with a drone, fatally injuring Abdul Samad, while women in the house were also wounded.

Abdul was transferred to Quetta for medical treatment when he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Additionally, the women injured in the attack were shifted to Quetta for further medical care, following initial treatment at a local hospital.

In recent days, several Pakistani forces and Special Service Groups personnel were reportedly killed in attacks by Baloch armed groups in the area, prompting the forces to launch a large-scale operation, which is underway.

Reports suggest that this is not the first time that civilians were impacted by drone attacks by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, and underscores a recurring concern.

Several human rights organisations, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, as well as Baloch political parties, have voiced grave concern over the targeting of civilians in these attacks, calling on the government to act immediately to prevent further incidents in Balochistan.

Last week, at least three members of a Baloch family, including a child, were killed in mortar fire by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, according to leading human rights organisations.

Paank, the Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department, mentioned that the tragic incident occurred on the evening of March 31 in the Bungul Bazar area of Awaran district.

It added that Pakistani security forces deployed heavy weaponry, including mortar shelling, in areas close to civilian populations following an attack on a nearby military camp carried out by Baloch armed groups.

During this exchange, one mortar shell struck a residential house in Bungul Bazar, killing three members of the same family on the spot.

The deceased were identified as 60-year-old Muhammad Umar, 57-year-old Faiza, and their daughter, Mahzaib Baloch, a fifth-grade student.

Condemning the incident, the Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) said, “The incident highlights potential violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality, which obligate all parties to protect civilians and civilian objects.”