PUNE/NASHIK, March 25 -- The recovery of 21 cartridges, including five used ones, from self-styled godman Ashok Kharat has become a key focus of the investigation into complaints of alleged sexual abuse against him, the police told a Nashik court on Tuesday. While the police sought a week's custody, the court of additional chief judicial magistrate KH Patil granted five days to the special investigation team (SIT) to continue its probe. Assistant public prosecutor Shailendra Bagade told the court that Kharat's custodial interrogation was crucial, particularly in light of the cartridges and a revolver recovered from his possession. "The SIT needs to ascertain whether these were used for human or animal sacrifices, as the accused is suspected to have practised black magic," Bagade said. Kharat was arrested by the Nashik City Police on March 18 and remanded to custody till March 24. The state government constituted an SIT on March 23, headed by IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute, to investigate the case. Police have so far identified six victims. Investigators told the court that some complainants alleged that Kharat performed rituals involving tigers and snakes at his temple near Mirgaon in Sinnar taluka. However, the police later found that the animals used in such rituals were fake. The prosecution also said that deer musk (kasturi), a banned wildlife product, was recovered from Kharat, and further probe is needed to determine if he possessed more such material. Kharat's defence counsel, Sachin Bhate, denied all allegations against him and opposed his further remand. He said police were merely speculating that Kharat could have used the cartridges for human or animal sacrifices. "Police remand cannot be sought on the basis of speculation. There is no evidence to suggest the cartridges were used for human or animal sacrifices," he said, informing the court that Kharat has a licence for his revolver....