Close associate and wife of fraudulent guru Ashok Kharat killed in car crash; they were witnesses in a scandal case.

Ashok Kharat Case: In a sensational case linked to Nashik, Jitendra Shelke (50), a close associate of jailed fake astrologer Ashok Kharat, and his wife Anuradha Shelke (45) died in a road accident. The accident occurred on the Samriddhi Mahamarg (Samriddhi Highway) in Kopargaon taluka when their car collided with a slow-moving truck.

Son Seriously Injured in the Accident

According to police, the couple’s 14-year-old son Sujit was seriously injured in the crash and has been admitted to a hospital in Shirdi. The Shelke family was traveling from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar towards Shirdi. The accident happened near the Dhotre Interchange when Jitendra Shelke, who was driving the car, hit the truck.

Truck Driver Flees, Investigation Ongoing

The truck driver fled the spot immediately after the accident. Police have registered a case and are searching for the driver while investigating the causes of the accident. The initial investigation is treating it as a road accident, but given the circumstances, other angles are also being probed.

Shelke’s Connection to Kharat

Jitendra Shelke was a prominent businessman from Shirdi and was associated with the Shri Shivnika Sansthan, which was founded by Ashok Kharat. He had also served as the vice-president of this institution. However, according to police, Shelke’s name was not included as an accused in the cases registered against Kharat.

Serious Charges Against Kharat

Ashok Kharat (67) has been arrested on charges of rape, fraud, and other serious offenses and is currently lodged in Nashik jail. Several agencies are investigating him. This accident has also caused a stir in political circles. A legislator expressed suspicion about the incident, stating that it might not be just an accident. He raised concerns that it could be a conspiracy to prevent the exposure of other cases linked to Kharat.

He has demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, a political leader called the incident unbelievable, stating that there were already apprehensions that people connected to the Kharat case could be in danger. She demanded an expedited SIT probe.

Recent ED Action Fuels Suspicion

A social activist also raised questions about the incident, noting that the ED had questioned Shelke just three days before the accident. On the same day, ED officials also conducted a search at a commercial complex in Nashik’s Canada Corner, from where Kharat operated his business. Currently, police are investigating the accident from every angle. Meanwhile, the persistent allegations of conspiracy have made the case even more sensitive.

Samriddhi Mahamarg (Samriddhi Highway)

The Samriddhi Mahamarg, also known as the Samriddhi Highway or Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway, is a 701-kilometer-long access-controlled expressway in Maharashtra, India, inaugurated in 2022. It was constructed to significantly reduce travel time between the state’s key cities, Nagpur and Mumbai, and is designed to spur economic development in the region’s interior districts. The project is named for the concept of “prosperity” and represents a major modern infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting connectivity and industry.

Kopargaon taluka

Kopargaon taluka is a sub-district located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra,

Samriddhi Mahamarg

The Samriddhi Mahamarg, also known as the Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway, is a 701-kilometer-long access-controlled highway in Maharashtra, India. It was inaugurated in 2022 and built to significantly reduce travel time between the state’s key cities, aiming to boost economic development in the region. The name translates to “Prosperity Highway,” reflecting its purpose as a major infrastructure project for trade and connectivity.

Samriddhi Highway

The Samriddhi Highway, officially known as the Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway, is a 701-kilometer-long access-controlled expressway in Maharashtra, India. It was inaugurated in 2022 and built to significantly reduce travel time between the state’s two major economic hubs, Nagpur and Mumbai. The project is notable for its focus on boosting regional development and connectivity, with plans for industrial townships and agricultural zones along its corridor.

Shirdi

Shirdi is a small town in Maharashtra, India, renowned as the final abode and spiritual center of the 19th-century saint Sai Baba, who lived there and preached a message of universal love and faith. It is now one of India’s most visited pilgrimage sites, with the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Temple complex drawing millions of devotees annually. The town’s history and identity are intrinsically linked to Sai Baba’s life and miracles from the late 1800s until his death in 1918.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly known as Aurangabad, is a major city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is historically significant as the capital of the 17th-century Maratha warrior-king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and is famed for its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Ajanta and Ellora caves. The city itself features historic monuments from the medieval period, including the Bibi Ka Maqbara, often called the “Mini Taj of the Deccan.”

Dhotre Interchange

Based on available information, the **Dhotre Interchange** is a major road junction in Pune, India, named after the late Marathi actor and comedian **Dada Dhotre**. It was constructed to alleviate traffic congestion, connecting key areas like Katraj and Kondhwa, and has become a vital part of the city’s transportation network since its development in the early 21st century.

Shri Shivnika Sansthan

Shri Shivnika Sansthan is a Hindu religious and cultural institution located in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It serves as a prominent pilgrimage and community center, known for its spiritual activities and preservation of traditions. While its precise founding history is not widely documented in international sources, it is a respected local sansthan (organization) that plays a key role in the region’s religious life.

Nashik

Nashik is an ancient city in Maharashtra, India, revered as one of the holiest sites in Hinduism. It is famously associated with the epic Ramayana, as it is believed to be the place where Lord Rama’s wife Sita was abducted and where the couple lived during their exile. Today, it is a major pilgrimage center, known for the Kumbh Mela held every 12 years on the banks of the Godavari River.

Canada Corner

“Canada Corner” is a famous bend on the Le Mans race circuit in France, named in honour of the Canadian drivers and personnel who competed in the early 24-hour races. Its history dates to the 1920s, when it was originally named “Virage de la Prairie” before being renamed after Canadian driver John Duff, who won Le Mans in 1924 with teammate Frank Clement.