Mumbai Investigation Deepens: ED Probes Land Deals Linked to Ashok Kharat's Empire
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the financial empire of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, identifying developer Rahul Deshmukh as a key associate in high-value land transactions.
Deshmukh Under Scanner for Land Deals
According to officials, Deshmukh allegedly acted as the “business front” for Kharat’s operations, handling legal documentation and property transfers in transactions linked to the Kharat family.
- Business Partner: Deshmukh is allegedly a business partner with Kharat’s daughter in a firm named Mahalaxmi Developers.
- Linked to Township Project: He is also linked to a plotting project in a township venture in Nashik, widely referred to as the Mahalaxmi Township project, associated with Kharat’s wife, Kalpana Kharat.
Officials said these partnerships are under scrutiny to determine ownership structures and the flow of funds within the Nashik-based project.
Township Project Under Probe
Investigators said a large township project at Ozar in Nashik is also under scrutiny, pointing to a wider real estate footprint linked to the case.
- Role of Rahul Deshmukh: Deshmukh’s role in multiple land transactions, including those where he allegedly acted as a broker, is being examined as part of the probe.
Land Deal Irregularities and Smita Vijay Raskar
According to officials, investigators are also examining the role of Smita Vijay Raskar, wife of an RTO officer, in connection with alleged land deal irregularities linked to Kharat.
- Landowner: Raskar has been identified as the recorded landowner in a township venture in the Nashik region.
- Transaction Traced: Investigators have traced a transaction in which approximately Rs 90 lakh was allegedly transferred to Raskar by a firm associated with Deshmukh and Kharat’s wife.
ED Analyzing Fund Trail
Officials said the ED has sought details from Deshmukh regarding the source of funds and the nature of Kharat’s alleged share in the deal.
- Asset Mapping: The agency is also probing whether the valuation of the land and subsequent financial inflows were aligned with market benchmarks or were used to facilitate alleged fund routing within the project structure.
Repeated attempts to contact Rahul Deshmukh for comment remained unanswered.