India, April 19 -- A special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Saturday allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to examine in jail a "key suspect" in the money laundering case linked to Nashik-based self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who was arrested in March on charges including rape, sexual assault, promoting superstition, extortion and money laundering.

Allowing the agency's plea, Additional Sessions Judge R B Rote permitted the ED to question Arvind Pandurang Bawke at Kopergaon sub-jail, observing that the agency sought custodial examination in a matter involving "a huge amount of proceeds of crime" and that the accused was a "key suspect" in the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR).

The court directe...