Ashok Kharat Case: Shirdi’s leading businessman Jitendra Shelke (55), who was recently arrested Ashok Kharat He had come under the scanner of investigating agencies for his alleged links with the Indian Express, died in a road accident on Samriddhi Expressway on Friday afternoon.
According to the police, his wife Anuradha Shelke (50) also died in this accident. His car collided with a container truck parked on the side of the expressway near Dhotre village in Ahilyanagar district. The couple’s 14-year-old son Suchit, who was also present in the car, survived the accident but suffered a fractured arm and was admitted to hospital.
Shelke ran a real estate firm and was also the vice-chairman of Shivanika Trust, which was founded by Ashok Kharat. Kharat was arrested in March on charges like rape, sexual exploitation, spreading superstition, extortion and money laundering. However, the police have not confirmed any conspiracy in this accident and have said that the investigation of the matter is going on.
How did the accident happen?
According to the police, this accident happened on Samriddhi Expressway on Kopargaon-Vaijapur road at around 12:30 pm on Friday afternoon. Inspector Sandeep Koli of Kopargaon rural police station said, “The Shelke family was returning from Sambhajinagar to Shirdi. Their car collided with a container. The impact of the collision was so strong that the front part of the car went under the container and was completely damaged.”
After much effort with the help of local people and police, the family was taken out of the car. Shelke, who was driving the car, and his wife sitting next to him, died on the spot, while the son sitting behind was rescued and taken to the hospital.
Ahilyanagar Additional Superintendent of Police Somnath Waghchaure said that investigation has been started to find out the cause of the accident. He said, “The forensic team has inspected the spot. It is not yet clear whether the container was stationary or moving slowly. After the accident, the container driver fled from the spot.”
Who is Jitendra Shelke?
Jitendra Shelke was a well-known businessman of Shirdi area and was the director of Silver Oak Buildcon Private Limited. He also established an educational institution named Silver Oak Academy, which made him famous in the area.
What is your relation with Ashok Kharat?
He had a long-standing relationship with Ashok Kharat and was associated with the Shivanika Trust, established around 2008. According to a former trust member, he left the trust in 2017, but rejoined last year and Kharat made him vice-chairman of the trust.
On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had called Shelke to record his statement during the raid on Kharat-related premises in Nashik. According to an official, Shelke told the agency that Kharat and his family had more information about the functioning of the trust. After recording his statement, ED did not call him again.
What was Shelki’s eye on?
Shelke was also under the radar of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Maharashtra Police, which is investigating the Kharat case. “We had not yet issued any notice to him, but he was on our radar to gather information about Kharat’s activities,” an officer said.
A person close to Shelke said that he was under mental stress after the revelations and investigation related to Kharat. On Friday, he had gone to Mahur pilgrimage site with his family and this accident happened while returning.
Conspiracy or mere accident?
Although the police have not confirmed any conspiracy, many opposition leaders have demanded a thorough investigation into this accident. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, while posting on He said that there should be a thorough investigation of this matter and in view of the issues coming to light during the investigation of Kharat, his safety should also be ensured.
What is the allegation against Ashok Kharat?
Ashok Kharat, who claimed to be a numerologist and cosmology expert, is accused of repeatedly raping and sexually exploiting several women by claiming to have divine powers and taking the help of astrology. He was arrested by the Crime Branch of Nashik Police on March 17. During the investigation, the police also found many objectionable videos from him, which have been included as evidence.
It is said that many political leaders, bureaucrats, celebrities and businessmen were in contact with Kharat for personal and professional advice. Maharashtra State Women’s Commission chairperson and NCP leader Rupali Chakankar was also a member of the Shivanika Trust, but had to resign from the post after she was accused of threatening a victim.
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