Pune/Nashik, March 27 -- There is a striking paradox at the heart of the Ashok Kharat story. The self-styled astrologer-godman from Nashik now being probed by the Fadnavis government for rape and extortion, failed math in the Class 10 board exam but earned his stripes as a numerologist who advised thousands how to run their business, personal and political affairs. The Special Investigation Team that's probing Kharat has found that the numerologist scored 28 out of 100 in his Class 10 math paper. Kharat's early life was marred by controversy when it was alleged that he had sexually assaulted one of his relatives, resulting in his excommunication from the village, said a senior officer with Nashik police. Following his excommunication, Kharat went to Thailand. He worked as a sailor on some cargo vessels and later styled himself as 'Captain Kharat.' Investigators told HT they found no records showing he was a ranked officer in the merchant navy. Yet, this stint became a key part of his narrative in later life - a way to exhibit his global exposure and add to his equity. In the last 10 days, at least eight FIRs have been registered against the self-styled godman. Of these, six are about rape and sexual abuse. P6...