U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday (May 23, 2026) a deal with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” with the proposal including opening the crucial Strait of Hormuz, though the agreement was “subject to finalisation.” “An Agreement has been largely negotiated
A person who approached a White House security checkpoint and began firing at officers has died, according to federal officials. The U.S. Secret Service said in a statement late on Saturday (May 23, 2026) that, according to a preliminary investigation
After spending 35 years at , consumer chief marketing officer is preparing to leave the company following the end of its next fiscal year, according to an internal memo as reported by Business Insider.Mehdi told employees he would remain at Microsoft until June 2027 to support the company
Pakistani woman says corporate culture makes employees feel guilty for taking leave: ‘Rest needs justification’A Pakistani woman said corporate jobs made employees feel guilty for taking paid leaves they were allowed to use. Published on: May 24
This crunchy veggie rice paper pancake is the perfect quick-fix snack for sudden hunger cravings at home: Full recipeFrom crispy edges to flavour-packed bites, try this veggie rice paper pancake recipe for an ultimate comfort snack for lazy evenings. Updated on: May 24
Amazon techie earning ₹11 lakh/month has 1 house in US, 4 properties in India, Range Rover — but no emergency fundAn Amazon employee earning close to $300,000 feels financially insecure despite significant savings and investments. Published on: May 24
Rare lung transplant at Apollo saves a life; spotlight on India's organ donor shortageRare lung transplant at Apollo saves a life; spotlight on India's organ donor shortage Published on: May 24, 2026 10:33 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, A year ago, every breath felt borrowed
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.These countertop organisers, crockery pick and jars can give your kitchen a Pinteresty spin by keeping the clutter awayTurn your kitchen into a photo-ready space with stylish organisers
Who is Ashok Kharat? The astrologer facing Rs 100 cr sexual assault charges

The 'captain's' dark secret: Who is Ashok Kharat? The astrologer facing Rs 100 crore probe and sexual assault charges
Nashik's high-profile astrologer Ashok Kharat, aka "Captain," has been arrested following a brave complaint by a 27-year-old woman. From a ₹100 crore empire to secret VVIP "Vashikaran" rituals for politicians, discover the shocking details of the SIT probe.
The glitzy world of spiritual consulting for the elite has been rocked by the arrest of 67-year-old Ashok Kharat, popularly known as "Captain" by his high-profile clients. Kharat now has a grim "Crime Kundali," as he is accused of sexual assault, among other charges, plus there is substantial evidence of a vast financial network he constructed using "Vashikaran" (mind control) and astrological influence.
Kharat's path to the dark arts started a long time ago. He served in the merchant navy for his working life, and for the last 20 years he has had an infatuation with astrology. According to reports, he did not just provide readings using traditional means. He was a self-proclaimed strategic adviser.
He combined astrology, numerology, and secret religious rites to create a persona of high-level consultants that appealed to the most powerful people in the region. His client list reads like a "Who’s Who" of Nashik, including politicians, real estate developers, and upper-tier business owners.
The police currently are trying to determine exactly how a retired sailor became a millionaire valued at over 100 crores. Kharat built his empire around two areas: access and confidentiality.
Charges: Police first say Kharat had been charging anywhere up to 50 lakhs for home or office visits.
Assets: Kharat's wealth consists of numerous acres of land and luxury properties all located in Nashik and Shirdi.
Political connection: Kharat's contacts increased at the time of elections, when many candidates would seek his "rituals" to win and destroy competitors.
Kharat's empire began to collapse when a 27-year-old woman came to the police with disturbing evidence that she had been sexually exploited over and over. She claimed Kharat had used his influence in conjunction with physical "rituals" where he committed the crime or used others to help him do so. Following her complaint, Nashik police swiftly arrested 67-year-old Kharat.
Considering the enormity of Kharat's powers and the severity of the charges, a special investigation team has been created to investigate all aspects of the case beyond simple sexual assault. In addition to examining the sexual assault cases, the team will also investigate:
Investigation into financial irregularities: Investigating the flow of illegal money from builders and politicians.
Investigation into extortion through Vashikaran: Investigating whether Vashikaran was used to extort money from wealthy individuals.
Investigation into victimisations: Police believe that other persons may have been threatened and did not report because Kharat had connections to powerful individuals.
Kharat's family has publicly declared that they believe he is the victim of a conspiracy. His wife stated that he only used astrology as a hobby and never made any money from it. She also stated that his competitors are trying to ruin his reputation. In response, the police claim they arrested him based on a large amount of evidence.
As members of the Special Investigations Team (SIT) conduct raids in Nashik and Shirdi, the city waits anxiously to see how many high-profile names will be uncovered due to their association with the now-disgraced 'Captain.'
ALSO READ | The ghost of Meta: Why a high-security corporate ID is hanging in a Bengaluru rickshaw—A modern urban mystery | VIRAL VIDEO
Source: ZeeNews
Related Posts: Nashik Astrologer’s farmhouse horror FBI probing hunting stand with clear view of Trump's Air Force One arrival point Police expose lapses in Kolkata event after Messi tour organiser's arrest ED to investigate into assets of self-styled godman Kharat How Nashik Became India’s Wine Capital National Green Tribunal grants interim stay on tree cutting in Nashik for Kumbh TCS forms independent panel to investigate Nashik incident Rs 396 Crore Approved For Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 In Nashik CBI Cracks Down On Nashik Call Centres Cheating UK Citizens Non-Hindus must not be allowed to set up shops at Nashik Kumbh Mela
Indian athletics witnessed a historic evening in Ranchi as Tejaswin Shankar became the first Indian ever to breach the 8000-point barrier in decathlon at the Federation Cup on Saturday. The 27-year-old produced a sensational all-round performance to finish with 8057 points
1 days ago
The Centre released draft rules for the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 for public consultation. The rules focus on governance, grievance redressal, and transitioning from MGNREGA to the new rural employment scheme
1 days ago
The National Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has warned of a sophisticated phishing campaign impersonating Apple tech support to target whose devices have been lost or stolen, officials said on Saturday.The I4C, which functions under the Union Home Ministry
1 days ago
Sachin Tendulkar praised his son Arjun's IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants. Arjun Tendulkar showed patience and skill in his first match. He bowled well and took a wicket. Sachin Tendulkar expressed pride in his son's performance and attitude
1 days ago
White House shooting suspect claimed to be ‘real’ Osama bin Laden, threatened Trump online: ReportOsama bin Laden was the founder and leader of the terror group Al-Qaeda, which was reportedly responsible the 9/11 attacks. Updated on: May 24, 2026 11:02 AM IST By Anita Goswami Share via Copy
1 days ago
May 24, Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for youIf your birthday falls on May 24, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: May 24, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on May 24
1 days ago
George Russell may have delivered the perfect answer to mounting pressure at Mercedes. After a fiery sprint race clash with championship-leading teammate Kimi Antonelli earlier on Saturday, the Briton bounced back in style to grab pole position for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix — edging the
1 days ago
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda is leading significantly in the Falta assembly constituency repoll. After five rounds of counting, Panda has secured a lead of over 14,000 votes against his CPI(M) rival. The repoll followed allegations of EVM tampering and irregularities during the initial polling
1 days ago
The suspect in a shooting near the White House was killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents on Saturday evening, officials have confirmed. BBC's US media partner CBS has named the suspect as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old man who was known to the Secret Service and had a documented
1 days ago
CPI(M) MP raises concerns over CBSE's digital evaluation, seeks interventionCPI(M) MP raises concerns over CBSE's digital evaluation, seeks intervention Published on: May 23, 2026 5:22 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, The Rajya Sabha leader of the CPI, John Brittas
1 days ago
Imagine enjoying a decadent, fudge‑like treat that also supports your hormones, libido, and menstrual rhythm, all while being packed with collagen, magnesium, adaptogens, and lignan‑rich omega‑3s. These Seed Cycling Hormone Bliss Balls are designed around the simple yet powerful practice of
1 days ago
Weekly Love Horoscope for May 24-30, 2026: The stars brings positive energies for these zodiac signsWeekly Love Horoscope for May 24-30, 2026: This week asks for patience, trust, and emotional resilience. Published on: May 24, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries Love feels
1 days ago
Perhaps the fullest realisation of what Mohamed Salah has achieved at Liverpool will only come with time. But as he prepares to say his goodbyes on Sunday, there is plenty to appreciate and admire in the here and now. There are the standards Salah helped to set that emanated through the club in his
1 days ago
From a darkly comic tale of revenge to a beautiful contemplation on friendship, here are the year's most acclaimed works of fiction so far. "Daring, deranged, cleverly written," is how Vogue describes the buzzy debut by Caro Claire Burke. In this satirical thriller
1 days ago
Jaipur real estate: Ashiana Housing has launched the first phase of its 10.35-acre residential project ‘Ashiana Oma’ in Ajmer Road at Mansarovar Extension Ashiana Housing will invest nearly ₹560 crore to develop a residential project in Jaipur
1 days ago
Overnight fires in Delhi: Shops, homes gutted in four blazesA fire department officer was injured after the tin shed of one of the shops he was standing on during the firefighting operation collapsed. Updated on: May 24, 2026 7:37 AM IST By Karn Pratap Singh Share via Copy link Four separate fire
1 days ago
As per the government, the new rules enable families living in Delhi to submit applications if their annual household income is within the newly prescribed limit. New Delhi: The Delhi government has reopened the process of issuing fresh ration cards under changed eligibility criteria after a gap of
1 days ago
The reported disruption of AI-animated film Critterz after OpenAI allegedly shut down Sora has sparked a larger conversation around one major issue in tech and entertainment: what happens when creators build entire projects on platforms they do not control?The reported disruption of AI-animated
1 days ago
Ex-Meta employee says non-Chinese workers were targeted for layoffsA laid-off Meta engineer has alleged that he was routinely excluded and ostracised by his Chinese colleagues at the company. Updated on: May 24, 2026 7:01 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link A laid-off Meta engineer has alleged
1 days ago
Mackenzie Shirilla wanted Kim Kardashian's help; here's why it's not happeningMackenzie Shirilla sought Kim Kardashian's legal support following the release of The Crash documentary, but Kardashian reportedly has no plans to get involved. May 24, 2026
1 days ago
The first scientific survey of fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has recorded 57 individuals, confirming that the species is widely distributed and actively reproducing across the reserve’s floodplains
1 days ago
X warns founder against reuploading White House shooting video: 'Revenue reduced by 90%'Nikita Bier of X warned a user against reuploading the White House shooting video, asking him to ‘Quote’ or ‘Video Reshare’ instead. Updated on: May 24, 2026 6:14 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link
1 days ago
Sonam Wangchuk says Article 371 talks for Ladakh still ‘work in progress’; backs Cockroach Janta PartySonam Wangchuk hoped constitutional safeguards will be granted to Ladakh after recent talks between Ladakh groups and the Centre. Updated on: May 24
1 days ago
Talking about international partnerships, PM Modi said India’s growing ties with global companies and countries would create new opportunities for young people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited candidates during the 19th Rozgar Mela
1 days ago
The Archaeological Survey of India’s circular in December on tourist guides at Red Fort has opened a larger debate: who gets to interpret the past? The circular states that only guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and endorsed by the Archaeological Survey of India may offer services inside
1 days ago
Dipika Kakar’s father-in-law in ICU after suffering stroke, Shoaib Ibrahim seeks prayers: ‘24 hrs are crucial’Shoaib Ibrahim took to Instagram to inform fans that his father has been hospitalised once again after suffering another stroke. May 24, 2026
1 days ago
Oleksandr Usyk struck lucky to retain his world heavyweight titles in Egypt with a highly controversial 11th-round stoppage win against boxing novice Rico Verhoeven. Verhoeven, in just his second professional boxing fight, was the clear aggressor for long spells
1 days ago