Whistleblower Exposes Godman's Benami Empire: 48 Properties Worth Crores

A whistleblower has exposed not only the alleged sexual exploitation of multiple women but also a massive trail of properties amassed by self-proclaimed godman Ashok Kharat. The exposé has revealed a benami empire consisting of at least 48 properties, with a total value estimated to run into several hundred crores. The investigation into Kharat, who is already under arrest for sexual exploitation, is now focusing on his financial network and the methods used to acquire these assets.

In a detailed statement to the police, the whistleblower provided documents and inputs related to the properties. These assets include land parcels, non-agricultural (NA) plots, residential flats in Shirdi and Nashik, and multiple properties in Ahilyanagar. Most of the properties are not directly in Kharat's name but are registered under his wife and children, spread across Nashik, Shirdi, and nearby regions.

According to police sources, the valuation of these properties is still underway. “It runs into several hundred crores. However, the exact valuation cannot be determined at this stage as verification and assessment of all assets is ongoing,” a senior official said. The property trail has now become a crucial part of the broader investigation into Kharat, who is already under arrest for alleged sexual exploitation. Investigators are probing whether the wealth was accumulated through coercion, fraud, and abuse of influence over devotees.

During the course of the probe, officials began piecing together what they describe as a disturbing modus operandi allegedly used by Kharat—not just to exploit women but also to build his real estate empire. Police sources claim that Kharat would allegedly target vulnerable women under the guise of spiritual guidance and rituals. In several cases, after allegedly sexually exploiting them, he would use threats and intimidation to extract money or property from their families.

“His pattern was not limited to exploitation. There are indications that he used fear and coercion to force families into financial transactions, including property transfers,” an officer involved in the investigation said. Another key aspect of the alleged modus operandi relates to how Kharat structured property deals. According to an officer familiar with the probe, Kharat would rope in wealthy investors and enter into joint property purchases while contributing only a fraction of the total investment.

For instance, in a land deal worth ₹1 crore, Kharat would invest only ₹20 lakh, while the other party would put in the remaining ₹80 lakh. However, the property would be registered jointly in official land records such as the 7/12 extract. Through this method, police suspect, Kharat managed to acquire ownership stakes in high-value properties at disproportionately low investments. “This allowed him to build a large asset base while minimizing his financial exposure. Prima facie, it appears he acquired land worth crores at throwaway prices using this tactic,” the officer added.

Investigators are now examining whether these transactions involved coercion, misrepresentation, or financial irregularities, and whether any of the investors were pressured into such deals. The role of the whistleblower has proved crucial in uncovering both the alleged sexual crimes and the financial network behind Kharat’s operations. “His inputs, backed by documents and digital evidence, have opened multiple lines of inquiry for the police, including potential money laundering and benami transactions,” officials added.

Officials said more properties could surface as the probe progresses, especially those held through proxies or layered ownership structures. Financial records, land documents, and bank transactions linked to Kharat and his associates are now being scrutinized in detail. With the investigation expanding beyond criminal charges to include financial irregularities, authorities believe the case could expose a much larger network of exploitation and illicitly amassed wealth operating under the guise of faith and spiritual practices. The probe has now been handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The only case still with the Nashik police is the one filed by the whistleblower’s wife, which is also likely to be transferred to the SIT in the coming days.