ED Uncovers Rs 13.5 Crore Cash Trail Linked To Maharashtra Self-Styled Godman's Alleged Shirdi Hotel Venture

The troubles of self-styled fake godman Ashok Kharat continue to deepen, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) uncovering an alleged Rs 13.50 crore cash trail linked to his purported plans to enter Shirdi’s rapidly expanding hotel and hospitality sector. 

Investigators suspect the transaction may be part of a larger money laundering and fund-layering operation.

According to sources, the ED’s investigation revealed that Kharat had allegedly handed over Rs 13.50 crore in cash to a local businessman in 2025 for the purchase of land intended for hotel and tourism-related projects in Shirdi. The money was reportedly routed through four local land brokers tasked with identifying plots and negotiating deals. However, the land transactions never materialised.

What has raised suspicion within the agency is that despite the collapse of the proposed deals, the money was neither returned nor was any interest allegedly sought on the amount. ED officials believe this is inconsistent with a genuine commercial investment and may indicate an attempt to park funds while concealing their origin.

Investigators suspect Kharat was eyeing Shirdi’s booming pilgrimage tourism market, with a plan to acquire land through intermediaries, develop hospitality projects, and later formalise the investments to legitimize the cash.

Sources said Kharat’s name was not intended to appear directly in the proposed venture, but the probe has indicated that a partnership arrangement was allegedly planned in exchange for the cash investment.

The ED is now preparing to summon the four land brokers through whom the funds were allegedly routed. The agency recently conducted raids at the residence of the hotel businessman and multiple locations, including a star hotel in Shirdi, as part of the investigation.

Officials are also examining whether the Rs 13.50 crore cash trail is linked to a larger suspected Rs 70 crore banking fraud. 

The probe is currently focused on tracing the origin of the cash, the channels through which it was moved, and its possible links to benami assets and shell companies.

On May 2, the ED moved the special PMLA court seeking permission to bring Kharat from Nashik Central Jail to Mumbai for interrogation. He is currently in judicial custody in connection with a separate land scam linked to Shirdi.

Investigating agencies believe
 Shirdi’s fast-growing hotel market may increasingly be used as a channel for routing and legitimising unaccounted money. 

The ED suspects the case could expose a wider network involving businessmen, land brokers, and large-scale cash transactions.