New Delhi, April 13 -- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday said it is conducting searches under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a case involving Nashik-based astrologer Ashok Kharat and others over allegations of extortion, religious manipulation, and drug-facilitated assault on victims, including women.

The case was registered at Sarkarwada Police Station in Maharashtra's Nashik district.

As per the ED, preliminary enquiries have revealed that Ashok Kharat allegedly opened multiple bank accounts with two cooperative credit societies based in Nashik district in the names of different third parties. However, he reportedly remained the nominee for all such accounts and had linke...