Directorate Of Enforcement Files PMLA Prosecution Against Self-Styled ‘Avatar’ In Mumbai; Assets Worth Rs. 36.90 Crore Attached, Seized or Frozen
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Mumbai, 18, July, 2026-The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office, has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) on 17 July 2026 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Mumbai against Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat alias “Captain” alias “Bondhu Baba”, his wife Kalpana Kharat, and four others for offences under Section 3, punishable under Section 4, of the PMLA.
According to the ED, the agency on 15 July 2026 provisionally attached immovable properties valued at Rs. 19.20 crore under Section 5 of the PMLA held in the names of the accused and their family members.
These attachments are in addition to assets worth Rs. 17.70 crore that were seized or frozen during searches executed under Section 17 of the PMLA at multiple premises, bank lockers and vehicles linked to the accused and his associates in April–May 2026.
Taken together, the Enforcement Directorate says assets totalling approximately Rs. 36.90 crore have been attached, seized or frozen in the matter to date.
The ED’s probe was initiated on the basis of multiple FIRs lodged with Sarkar Wada, Shirdi, Sinnar and Rahata police stations.
Investigation, the agency states, revealed that Ashokkumar Kharat exploited devotees’ religious faith and dishonestly induced them to part with money and immovable property by promising “Avatar Poojas”, cures for illness, protection from misfortune and guarantees of business prosperity.
Kharat allegedly falsely presented himself as possessing divine powers and as an incarnation of Lord Shiva to deceive followers, and generated proceeds of crime through extortion, cheating and criminal intimidation.
The Enforcement Directorate further alleges that Kharat laundered the illicit proceeds through two cooperative credit societies by fraudulently operating multiple accounts in collusion with an employee, and by using several benami accounts for large cash deposits and subsequent withdrawals, including maturity proceeds. Funds so laundered were purportedly retained with trusted associates or invested in immovable properties across Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Pune and Mumbai, often registered in the names of family members.
Earlier in the investigation, ED arrested Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat on 19 May 2026 under Section 19 of the PMLA for the offence of money-laundering.
He remains in judicial custody, the agency said. Further investigation is in progress.
The Enforcement Directorate’s prosecution complaint names the principal accused, his spouse and four associates, and seeks action under the PMLA’s provisions addressing proceeds of crime and their concealment, acquisition and possession.
The Special Court will now consider the PC and related applications concerning attachments and evidentiary material filed by the ED.
