Police acted proactively in arrest of rape accused 'godman' Kharat: Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the police acted proactively in arresting self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, accused of raping a woman in Nashik.
Several women were initially reluctant to come forward and lodge complaints, but were provided complete protection by the authorities, Fadnavis informed the state assembly.
More victims are expected to come forward as confidence in the investigation grows, he said.
Kharat, who claimed to be a retired Merchant Navy officer and was known as "captain", was arrested on March 18 for rape and other offences on the complaint of a 35-year-old woman. She alleged Kharat raped her several times over a period of three years.
"The police trapped and proactively arrested Kharat. It is a very serious matter. He misused his so-called powers and misbehaved with women. Preparations to arrest him had been underway for some time," CM Fadnavis said.
Around March 10, a complaint registered in another district was used by the police to initiate action against Kharat. A look-out circular had already been issued to prevent him from fleeing the country, Fadnavis informed the assembly.
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The chief minister said he would make a detailed statement on the case in the House on Tuesday and asserted that no one would be spared.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar termed the case a blot on Maharashtra and alleged that women were exploited by Kharat and other such people. He demanded the immediate removal of all those allegedly involved, including ministers and senior officials.
Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav claimed the case involved some ministers as well as senior IAS and IPS officers, and said the House had the right to discuss the matter. He alleged that the government had previously attempted to suppress a similar case in Nashik without conducting a proper probe.
Jadhav criticised the ruling dispensation, saying those in power invoked the name of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but failed to follow his principles.
Several political leaders had visited Kharat over the years, allegedly for seeking spiritual advice.
The government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
The woman in her complaint to Nashik police alleged that Kharat called her to his office in 2022 on the pretext of performing rituals to avert danger to her husband, administered a sedative-laced drink and raped her. She alleged repeated sexual assault over a period of three years.
The police have seized CCTV DVRs from Kharat's Mirgaon farmhouse, Tikde Colony bungalow and Canada Corner office as part of the probe into the case.
Kharat is named in several cases filed at Vavi, Shirdi and Sarkarwada police stations for alleged extortion, blackmail, rape and black magic practices, officials earlier said.
Investigators were reaching out to potential victims and more cases were expected to be registered against Kharat, they added.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
