The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches on Friday at a location in Nashik district, Maharashtra, as part of an ongoing investigation into Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman accused of serious crimes including sexual assault and financial fraud. Kharat was previously arrested by Nashik police for allegedly extorting ₹4-5 crore (approximately $480,000 USD) from a businessman in the real estate sector. The ED's operation included searches at 11 locations across Nashik, Pune, and Shirdi, targeting Kharat's properties and those of his associates. Investigators are focusing on the financial trail, revealing that Kharat allegedly controlled several bank accounts, which were nominally held in others' names but linked to him. The agency is scrutinizing transaction details to establish the flow of illicit funds, which Kharat reportedly used to acquire properties and sell religious items at inflated prices. A total of thirteen cases have been registered against Kharat, highlighting the severity of the allegations against him.