Kharat to be produced before court in eighth case of sexual assault

Nashik: The special investigation team probing multiple sexual assault and black magic cases against astrologer Ashok Kharat secured his custody in an eighth case on Wednesday, as his three-day police custody in the seventh case ended.Senior police officers said Kharat will be formally arrested and produced before the court on Thursday in the eighth case, which relates to the molestation of a woman. He was produced before chief judicial magistrate B N Ichpurani via video conferencing on Wednesday after completion of police custody. Public prosecutor Kiran Bendbhar and assistant public prosecutor Shailendra Badade sought 14 days of judicial custody, while retaining entitlement to police custody if required."The court remanded Kharat in judicial custody till May 11," Bendbhar said.A total of eight cases of sexual assault and black magic have been registered against Kharat at the Sarkarwada police station, along with four other cases of extortion, cheating and related offences. He is currently in the custody of the special investigation team (SIT) constituted by state govt.Of the 12 cases registered at Sarkarwada police station, the SIT will investigate nine. The SIT will also probe two additional cases registered at Shirdi and Wavi police stations in which Kharat is not an accused. In the Wavi case registered on Dec 29, 2025, Kharat is the complainant and has alleged extortion by two persons. In the Shirdi case registered on Feb 18, he was indirectly connected.