DGP monitoring probe into rape case against self-styled godman, no one will be spared: Fadnavis

Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that a high-level inquiry under the director general of police (DGP) is underway in the case involving Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman arrested for rape, and asserted that no one will be spared.

Kharat, who claimed to be a retired Merchant Navy officer and was known as "captain", had several political leaders visit him over the years, allegedly for seeking spiritual advice. He was arrested by the Nashik police based on a 35-year-old woman's complaint that he had raped her on multiple occasions over a period of three years.

Speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of a programme, Fadnavis said that the police busted the case based on intelligence inputs, and the DGP has been asked to monitor the investigation.

A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case, and it will work with the Nashik police. No one will be spared in this case in any situation, he said.

Fadnavis further said that while efforts are underway to politicise this case, people who have evidence to support their allegations should come forward and cooperate with the police.

Politicising the case without any reason is not good, he said.

On West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming him the "biggest infiltrator", Fadnavis said that the Trinamool Congress chief has foreseen her defeat in the upcoming elections.

"Under such a situation, people sometimes lose their discretion, and hence, one must not pay too much attention to such statements because people very well know who the infiltrators are and who is protecting the nation," he said.

The chief minister also slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his tweet claiming that the country's economic condition has worsened.

"Amid the ongoing wars in the world, the Indian government has made arrangements and ensured that common people don't have to face any impact. If we look at the situation in neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka, they have closed their offices and schools. The sale of petrol and gas cylinders has been stopped. But India has not let these situations affect its daily life. I feel that Rahul Gandhi only tries to defame the country and create anarchy," he said.