After Ashok Kharat Row, Another ‘Godman’ Booked for Alleged Rape of Pune Woman
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 27th March 2026: After the recent controversy surrounding self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in Nashik, another case involving a self-proclaimed spiritual leader has come to light. A woman from Pune has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a Vasai-based self-styled godman, Rishikesh Vaidya. A case has been registered in this connection and further investigation is underway.
According to police, the case was initially registered at Manikpur Police Station in Vasai. However, as the first alleged incident took place in Pune, the case has now been transferred to Manjari Police Station for investigation.
The complainant, a 35-year-old woman from Pune, alleged that she came into contact with Vaidya through a foundation in Vasai and later connected with him on social media. Taking advantage of the acquaintance and posing as a spiritual leader, the accused allegedly exploited her under the pretext of spirituality.
The woman told police that Vaidya claimed to be an incarnation of Lord Mahadev and told her that she was his “Parvati”. Based on this claim, he allegedly sexually assaulted her at a lodge in the Manjari area of Pune in 2023. During the incident, the accused allegedly took photographs and later used them to blackmail her.
According to the complaint, the accused again blackmailed the woman and allegedly assaulted her at a lodge in Vasai in 2025.
Police said the woman decided to come forward and file a complaint after the recent exposure of cases involving self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in Nashik encouraged her to speak about the alleged abuse.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingle said the victim had approached the police with a complaint about the alleged incidents.
“The accused came into contact with the victim through social media and posed as a spiritual leader. He allegedly sexually assaulted her in Manjari in Pune and later remained in contact by blackmailing her. The victim has also alleged that he assaulted her again in Vasai,” Pingle said.
He added that after the complaint was filed in Vasai, the case was transferred to Manjari Police Station as the initial incident occurred in Pune.
“The accused is a self-proclaimed ‘Maharaj’ who allegedly misused his identity to commit the offence. Four police teams have been formed to trace him, and search operations are being conducted in other districts as well,” Pingle said.
Police have appealed to the public to come forward if anyone else has faced similar incidents or has information related to the accused. Further investigation is underway.
