Pune, March 28 -- The Pune City Police on Saturday arrested a self-styled godman, identified as Rishikesh Vaidya, from the Pimpri-Chinchwad area in connection with a sexual assault case.

The arrest comes even as a similar case involving Nashik-based self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, accused of exploiting women, continues to draw attention in the state.

According to police officials, the accused allegedly sexually assaulted a woman after establishing contact with her through social media in October 2023. Vaidya, a resident of Vasai in Maharashtra, is accused of luring the victim and assaulting her on multiple occasions.

Police said that Vaidya met the woman in Pune in 2023, where he allegedly administered an intoxicating substance and as...