The arrest of a self-styled godman and influential numerologist in Nashik on Wednesday for allegedly raping a 27-year-old woman has triggered a political row in Maharashtra.
Leaders of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance on Thursday hit out at Mahayuti leaders for their alleged close ties with the accused, Ashok Kharat.
Following the woman’s complaint, the police had registered an FIR against Mr. Kharat on Tuesday.
He was booked under Sections 64 (rape), and 69 (sexual intercourse through deceitful means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Section 3 of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
The complainant said the accused promised to resolve her marital issues if she submitted to his demands and sexually assaulted her on this pretext, a senior police officer said.
