On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of raids in Maharashtra, focusing on self-styled godman Ashok Kharat and his associates as part of a money laundering investigation. Raids were conducted at five locations in Kharat's hometown of Nashik, along with three locations each in Pune and Shirdi. The ED's actions stem from a criminal case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on April 6, following a police FIR against Kharat for serious allegations including extortion and sexual assault on multiple women. Investigators revealed that Kharat had opened multiple bank accounts in the names of third parties at cooperative credit societies in Nashik, allowing him control over these accounts. The funds collected from victims, under the guise of selling blessed items with supposed divine powers, were allegedly funneled into various land investments through his chartered accountant, Prakash Pophale. Kharat has faced eight FIRs from victims, leading to his arrest by Nashik Police in March.