NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Friday (March 20, 2026) claimed alleged incidents of black magic outside the residences of late Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar last year, and demanded an inquiry into it.

“In progressive Maharashtra, there’s no place for superstition, and no one believes in it either, but as MLA Amol G. Mitkari has stated, the black magic performed outside the residence of Ajit Dada’s Sahayog Society, as well as the black magic carried out through Nashik’s Bhondu Baba outside the Devagiri bungalow, which is coming to light, makes this case appear extremely sinister,” said Mr. Pawar.

He shared Mr Mitkari’s post on X, asking to probe the mastermind behind these acts. Mr Pawar emphasised the need to find out whether the recently arrested self-style godman Ashok Kharat has performed this black magic, and if yes, then “who is the political monster” that commissioned the task?

On Wednesday, Ashok Kharat from Nashik was arrested for rape charges. His arrest triggered political outrage as videos and photos of his closeness with Mahayuti leaders surfaced online, with opposition demanding the resignation of NCP leader Rupali Chakankar. A day after the SIT was set up, Mr Pawar asked for an investigation into the black magic incident outside Ajit Pawar’s house.