MUMBAI, May 12 -- A special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Monday issued a production warrant against Nashik-based self-styled godman Ashok Kharat after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought his arrest in an alleged extortion and money laundering case involving transactions of over Rs.70 crore. Special judge RB Rote directed the superintendent of Nashik Road Central Jail to produce Kharat before the court on May 18 in connection with an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered by ED against him. The ED had told the court that Kharat and his associates were "prima facie involved in a series of grave and organised criminal activities involving sophisticated extortion carried out through a combination of religious manipulation, inducement and drug-facilitated acts". The money-laundering case stems from multiple FIRs registered by the Maharashtra police. The ED alleged that Kharat cultivated followers by presenting himself as spiritually powerful and exploiting fear-based narratives. He allegedly "claimed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva and adopted a 'Captain' persona to create an aura of authority and trust". He also allegedly "created fear of death, black magic and divine wrath to induce compliance". The agency claimed Kharat induced victims to spend heavily on foreign travel, luxury vehicles, medical treatment and construction expenses before allegedly threatening them when they sought repayment. One complainant allegedly lost Rs.4-5 crore. According to the ED, the investigation has uncovered 60 bank accounts and 48 linked fixed deposit accounts allegedly controlled by Kharat through nominees and associates. The agency alleged that transactions exceeding Rs.70 crore had passed through these accounts, including cash deposits of more than Rs.9.23 crore. The agency also alleged that Kharat used the proceeds of crime to acquire movable and immovable properties in his own name and in the names of relatives and associates, while routing funds through cooperative credit societies and real-estate transactions. Seeking Kharat's custody, the ED told the court that his arrest was necessary to "unearth the money trail", identify beneficiaries of the alleged proceeds of crime and investigate possible "cross-border implications". Accepting the ED's plea, the judge held that "the accused is required to be produced before this court" in connection with the money laundering investigation, and issued a production warrant. Kharat, arrested in March, is currently in judicial custody....