‘Have done a pious job’: Follower-turned-whistleblower of arrested Nashik godman reveals shocking details

A whistleblower reveals shocking details about arrested Nashik godman Ashok Kharat's sexual offenses and their impact on Maharashtra politics.

A devotee-turned-whistleblower in the high-profile Nashik godman case has blown the lid on the sexual offences of Ashok Kharat and how he saved the lives of scores of women who were allegedly hoodwinked by the 67-year-old godman.

Kharat is currently lodged in police custody in a rape and black magic case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been probing allegations against him in the high-profile case that has caused ripples in Maharashtra politics. The SIT has been collecting evidence and recording witness statements. Outside the ambit of the police probe too, allegations have been levelled by political leaders and social activists against Kharat for his alleged contacts with top politicians and bureaucrats in the State.

Speaking exclusively to The Hindu, Jaywant Miske* says he was an ardent follower of the self-styled godman till a few years ago. He would diligently serve him, take care of his daily chores, and bow before him, says the soft-spoken man.

This subservient relationship went on till Kharat, he claims, allegedly sexually assaulted his then heavily pregnant wife a few years ago. Initial distrust towards his wife gave way to denial, but he took the call to keep tabs on the fake godman. Mr. Miske said he installed a hidden CCTV camera in Kharat’s office and recorded several videos of the conman’s transgressions. Mr. Miske says he had worked in one of Kharat’s offices for a few years, till he left the job after he got the recordings.

The follower recently turned a whistleblower as he gave the Nashik police a blow-by-blow account of the arrested conman’s deeds. The CCTV recordings are key evidence in the police investigation.

Mr. Miske says he has done a “pious job” by turning a whistleblower in the matter. “Hindu worshippers have been deceived. I have saved thousands of Hindu women and girls. Had I not blown the lid off this exploitation ring, he would have still been worshipped as God by all the followers. He would have destroyed many more families, many women,” he says, while claiming that Kharat had been involved in this racket since 1998.