Mumbai, March 27: A disturbing case from Maharashtra’s Vasai has brought to light serious allegations against a self-proclaimed ‘godman’ accused of s*xual assault, manipulation, and blackmail. Police have registered a case against Rishikesh Vaidya following a complaint by a 35-year-old woman, who has accused him of exploiting her under the guise of spirituality.

According to the FIR, the accused allegedly portrayed himself as an incarnation of Lord Shiva and referred to the survivor as Goddess Parvati, using religious deception to gain her trust. The two reportedly connected on Facebook in 2023, after which Vaidya began influencing her through spiritual teachings and claims of divine power. Ashok Kharat Viral Video: How and Where 58 Obscene Videos Were Saved by Self-Styled Godman?

The survivor has alleged that their first meeting took place at a lodge in Pune in December 2023, where Vaidya allegedly drugged and raped her. During the incident, he is also accused of taking obscene photographs without her consent. These images were later allegedly used to blackmail her, forcing her into further encounters. Narhari Zirwal, Soham Naik and Ashok Kharat Viral Video Scandals: Political Storm of Mudslinging.

In May 2025, the accused reportedly called the woman to a hotel in Vasai and attempted another s*xual assault. The victim has further claimed that Vaidya may have used similar tactics to exploit multiple other women, raising concerns about a wider pattern of abuse.

The case came to light after the woman gathered the courage to approach authorities, reportedly influenced by recent developments involving another controversial spiritual figure. Notably, the viral video row linked to Ashok Kharat, which sparked widespread outrage and debate, played a role in prompting the survivor to speak up. Her husband subsequently filed a formal complaint at Manikpur Police Station, leading to the registration of the case. Authorities later transferred the matter to the police station with jurisdiction over the original crime scene.

Investigators say the probe is ongoing, and efforts are being made to identify other possible victims who may have been silenced.

This incident comes close on the heels of another high-profile case in Maharashtra involving Ashok Kharat, also known as ‘Captain’ Kharat, who was arrested for allegedly exploiting women under the guise of religious practices. The back-to-back cases have raised serious concerns over the misuse of faith and authority by self-styled spiritual leaders.

Police have urged anyone with relevant information or similar experiences to come forward as the investigation continues.

TruLY Score by LatestLY
Rating:3

TruLY Score 3 – Believable; Needs Further Research | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 3 on LatestLY, this article appears believable but may need additional verification. It is based on reporting from news websites or verified journalists (India Today ), but lacks supporting official confirmation. Readers are advised to treat the information as credible but continue to follow up for updates or confirmations

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 27, 2026 02:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).