According to police, the latest case pertains to a young woman who had approached Kharat seeking help for personal issues. Investigators allege that he sexually exploited her and threatened to harm her family using so-called “divine powers” if she resisted or spoke out.

MAVIM, a Maharashtra government body, works towards economic empowerment, social equity and self-reliance among women associated with Self Help Groups (SHGs), with a network of over 20 lakh members