The Maharashtra state government has suspended Abhijeet Bhande-Patil, a deputy collector, following his connections to Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman facing serious allegations of sexual assault, extortion, and money laundering in Nashik, Maharashtra, India. The suspension was enacted after a preliminary investigation by the state revenue department found Bhande-Patil guilty of misconduct. The inquiry revealed that Bhande-Patil and Kharat jointly owned several properties and exchanged 143 phone calls over a year, with a total conversation time of 10,037 seconds (nearly three hours). Bhande-Patil's daughter is also linked to Kharat, raising further concerns about his conduct. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed the findings and the subsequent suspension. Additionally, social activist Anjali Damania has accused Bhande-Patil of providing protection to Kharat's fugitive family members, further complicating the case.