ED has intensified investigation in Ashok Kharat money laundering case. More than Rs 70 crore suspicious transactions and more than 100 fake accounts have been exposed. In this case, many fake accounts have also been found in the name of Rupali Chakankar’s sister and nephew.
Ashok Kharat Viral Video Case: ED has intensified investigation into the money laundering case related to alleged self-styled religious leader Ashok Kharat. In this series, the agency has called Pratibha Chakankar, sister of NCP leader and former chairperson of the State Women’s Commission Rupali Chakankar, and her son Tanmay for questioning next week. According to officials, suspicious transactions worth crores of rupees through bank accounts are being investigated in this case.
What is the whole matter?
During the investigation, four such bank accounts have come to light in Samta Nagari Cooperative Patsanstha, in which transactions worth Rs 1.20 crore to Rs 2.40 crore took place in the last few years. According to sources, these accounts are said to be directly linked to Ashok Kharat. Kharat is accused of running a large network of more than 134 fake or ‘proxy’ accounts. The most shocking thing is that in these accounts, Kharat was shown as ‘nominee’ and his mobile number was used to open the account.
Pratibha Chakankar’s statement
Giving clarification on these allegations, Rupali’s sister Pratibha Chakankar has said that all these accounts are completely fake. He claimed that the accounts were opened without his knowledge. Forged signatures were used for this. Now ED will try to reach the truth through the statements of him and his son.
More than Rs 70 crore suspicious transactions exposed
ED investigation has revealed a complex financial network inside this cooperative institution of Ahilyanagar. The agency has identified suspicious transactions worth more than Rs 70 crore between 2022 and 2024. According to officials, Ashok Kharat collected Aadhaar cards, PAN cards (KYC documents) from his followers and associates in the name of religious activities and these were later misused.
Web of anonymity and ghost accounts
Investigation has revealed that with the help of these documents, ‘Benami’ or ‘Ghost’ accounts were opened without the knowledge of the people. These accounts were used for moving money around, i.e. ‘layering’, so that the real source could be hidden. According to the investigating agency, around 100 suspicious accounts were identified, out of which 40 were ‘special accounts’ and were being used like fixed deposits (FD). These accounts were given code numbers (like 001, 002) so that fund transactions could be tracked. ED has also called Sandeep Omprakash Koyte, director of the cooperative society, for questioning in this case. The agency wants to know why the bank system did not give any warning despite so many accounts being opened with the same mobile number and the same nominee.
Confession of an associate
Arvind Pandurang Bawke, a close associate of Ashok Kharat, arrested in this case, has admitted that he deposited cash several times at the behest of Kharat. This amount was deposited in fake accounts. This matter is not limited to Ahilyanagar only. ED has also interrogated Namkaran Yashwant Aware, president of Jagdamba Mata Rural Bigar Farming Cooperative Patsanstha of Nashik. Here also about 34 suspicious ‘ghost accounts’ have come to light, which are being linked to Ashok Kharat. ED may interrogate many more account holders and beneficiaries in the coming days.