ED Complaint Links NCP Leader's Temple Trust Role to Chakankar Family's Association with Godman Kharat
The Enforcement Directorate's prosecution complaint in a money laundering case against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat details how the Chakankar family came to follow him through their temple trust connection. According to statements from Tanmay Chakankar, nephew of NCP leader and former Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Rupali Chakankar, he first met Kharat in 2022 at Ishaneshwar Temple in Mirgaon during Mahashivratri.
Tanmay stated that his aunt's role as trustee of Shri Shivnika Sansthan, which manages the temple, was instrumental in his family's faith in Kharat. He claimed he had no knowledge of the circumstances of her becoming trustee or any benefits she derived. Tanmay said he donated Rs 1 lakh by cheque to the trust in 2023 for an Annadan programme in Kharat's honour.
According to the ED, Tanmay's mother Pratibha alleged that KYC documents collected from her for pilgrimage bookings were misused to open bank accounts in their names without authorization.
