India, March 19 -- The arrest of a self-styled godman and numerologist in Nashik on Wednesday in connection with a rape case has triggered a political controversy in Maharashtra.

Ashok Kharat, known as 'Captain' for his merchant navy background, is said to have links with several politicians, businesspeople and celebrities. He came into the spotlight in November 2022 when then chief minister Eknath Shinde visited a Nashik district temple run by a trust associated with him, along with his wife Lata and cabinet ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Deepak Kesarkar.

A senior Nashik crime branch officer said an FIR was registered against Kharat on Tuesday based on a complaint by a 27-year-old woman.

"In her complaint, the woman said she a...