The case surfaced after the survivor found the courage to come forward upon seeing reports of the arrest of spiritual figure Ashok Kharat, who is accused of exploiting multiple women under the pretext of religious practices.
Police in Maharashtra’s Vasai have registered a case against a self-styled spiritual leader for allegedly raping and blackmailing a 35-year-old woman. The accused is said to have misrepresented himself as a divine figure, claiming to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva while referring to the survivor as Goddess Parvati, in an apparent attempt to manipulate her psychologically.
According to the complaint, the accused, Rishikesh Vaidya, initially contacted the woman on social media in 2023. Presenting himself as a spiritual guide and leader of a local organisation, he gradually gained her trust. The two later met at a lodge in Pune in December 2023, where he allegedly drugged her and sexually assaulted her.
The survivor further alleged that during the incident, the accused secretly captured explicit photographs without her consent. These images were subsequently used to threaten and coerce her into further interactions. In a later incident in May 2025, he allegedly called her to a hotel in Vasai and attempted to assault her again, continuing the pattern of intimidation and exploitation.
She has also claimed that the accused used similar deceptive methods to target and exploit other women, suggesting a broader pattern of abuse under the guise of spirituality. Encouraged by recent developments in a similar case, the woman’s husband filed a formal complaint, leading to the registration of a First Information Report.
Authorities have since transferred the case to the police station with appropriate jurisdiction and have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the full extent of the allegations. Officials are also examining whether more victims may have been similarly targeted but have not yet come forward.
This incident marks the second such case in Maharashtra within a short span, following the arrest of another self-proclaimed spiritual leader accused of repeated sexual exploitation. Investigators in both cases are working to uncover potential patterns, networks, and additional victims as part of an expanding probe.
