A section of opposition leaders has raised suspicion after self-styled godman Ashok Kharat’s close aide and his wife died in a car crash on Friday. Jitendra Shelke, 50 and his wife Anuradha died after their car rammed a slow-moving truck on Samruddi Highway in the Kopargaon taluk of Ahilyanagar. Their 14-year-old son survived the crash but suffered from critical injuries
The deaths came amid fresh raids at Nashik.
Kopargaon rural Police inspector Sandip Koli said that the Shelkers were travelling from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The accident occurred at around 12:30 pm on the way. Shelke was the one driving the car.
The opposition leader has now raised doubts about the circumstances and timing of the incident.
NCP MLA Rohit Pawar took to X to say,” One can't help but wonder whether this accident was orchestrated so that Kharat’s other unrevealed misdeeds don't come to light.”
शिवनिका संस्थानचे उपाध्यक्ष आणि भोदू अशोक खरात याचे सहकारी जितेंद्र शेळके यांचं अपघाती झालेलं निधन अतिशय धक्कादायक आहे. अजूनही पुढं न आलेले भोंदूचे इतर काही कारनामे पुढं येऊ नयेत आणि यामध्ये कुणीतरी अडचणीत येऊ नये, म्हणून तर हा अपघात घडवून आणला नाही ना, अशी शंका येते. या अपघाताची…
— Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) April 17, 2026
“A thorough investigation of this accident must be conducted. Moreover, since many matters are likely to surface in the inquiry into Bhondu Kharat as well, his safety must also be ensured.”
Sena UBTs; Sushma Andhare called the accident "unbelievable" and said that more people linked to Kharat could be in danger.
Jitendra Selke was a close associate of Ashok Kharat. Kharat is currently in judicial custody for multiple charges, including rape, sexual assault and cheating. Shelke was a Kharat’s business partner and vice president of the Shivanika Trust.
Congress leader Praniti Shide said that Kharat could be involved in or killed in an encounter.
"I feel he (Kharat) may be killed in an encounter; names are going to come forward during the investigation. Some of them could be part of the current ruling dispensation in Maharashtra, including state ministers," she said.
