The Bombay High Court is set to hear a PIL filed after an FIR against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, accusing him of sexually exploiting women. The petition points out serious gaps in the implementation of Maharashtra’s Anti-Superstition law.

The petitioners argue that the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 is not being properly enforced because the State has failed to frame the required Rules even after more than a decade.

Eleven members of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samitee, through advocate Asim Sarode, have filed the plea. They say Kharat’s case—where he faces multiple FIRs for rape, cheating, and black magic—shows how urgently the law needs proper implementation.

They also stress that such exploitation is not limited to one religion and occurs across communities. Referring to Narendra Dabholkar, they say his vision remains incomplete as long as the law exists only on paper.

According to the plea, the absence of Rules means there are no clear guidelines for investigation, victim protection, or rehabilitation. The petition describes the Kharat case as a disturbing example, alleging sexual abuse under the guise of rituals, threats to silence victims, and large-scale financial fraud.

The petition also raises concern over explicit videos of victims circulating online and urges authorities to remove such content immediately to protect their dignity