Noting that it is a horrifying narrative that has sparked outrage in Maharashtra is a case in which a self-styled godman, Ashok Karat, was arrested in Nashik for sexually exploiting and blackmailing women in the name of promising help for women's private troubles.
The defendant who was a retired naval officer, is said to have won women’s trust by introducing himself as a spiritual healer, and by pretending to heal family, health and emotional problems, through religious ceremonies and advice, which he could carry out. Police officials said he deployed this misleading image to lure women to his office, where the alleged crimes occurred.
The police's investigation into Karat alleged accused him of engaging in sexual acts with women who came to him for assistance, usually under the guise of conducting religious or spiritual practices. He said he had specifically targeted those suffering from difficult phases and that needed extra help when the going got tough.
In a significant break, police found that the man behind the camera had set up covert cameras inside his office. Those gadgets were said to be used to secretly record private and intimate videos, without the victims knowing or consenting to what was being filmed. The recordings were later subsequently alleged to have been employed for blackmail.
Karat would threaten the victims with exposure of these videos if they refused to comply with his demands and force them to maintain his exploitation, officials said. The case came to light after a courageous survivor brought a story detailing the abuse and harassment faced by her in reports to police.
Following the complaint, however, police made a thorough investigation which finally resulted in Karat's arrest. During searches of his premises, officials recovered a pen drive with objectionable videos which included as many as 58 women. This discovery has triggered fears the number of victims could be much larger.
Today, police are figuring out who the women seen in the videos are and are encouraging potential victims to come forward without fear. Investigators are counseling and affirming confidence in confidentiality and the support they will receive from the authorities. It has sparked outrage and new interest in the abuse of faith and people's positions of trust by religious leaders for personal gain.
It also requires greater sensitivity and caution when seeking help from unverified spiritual practitioners, experts say. And additional charges have been considered by police considering what they have seen so far. The accused is still currently in custody as legal proceedings open.
