US EditionUnder Fire over Links with Rape Accused Godman, Maharashtra Women’s Panel Chief Quits
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demands resignation after Rupali Chakankar's ties to arrested astrologer Ashok Kharat, accused of drugging and raping multiple women, spark protests.
- On Friday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar to resign following controversy over her association with astrologer Ashok Kharat, who faces arrest for rape.
- Police arrested Kharat after a 35-year-old woman filed a complaint alleging he drugged and raped her repeatedly between November 2022 and December 2025; authorities remanded him to police custody until March 24.
- Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut criticized Chakankar for her association with the accused, while activist Anjali Damania alleged Chakankar endorsed Kharat, who reportedly exploited several other women.
- While Chakankar has denied all allegations, she has remained incommunicado and absent from the Commission office since March 18, as protesters in Pune organized a demonstration demanding Kharat's removal.
- Chakankar posted on Twitter that she maintains "full faith in the police inquiry" regarding the ongoing investigation into Kharat's conduct, with authorities examining evidence from the case.
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India News: MUMBAI/PUNE: NCP politician Rupali Chakankar, who is under a cloud after her alleged links to rape-accused astrologer Ashok Kharat came to light, resi.
Ashok Kharat Viral Video: Rupali Chakankar Resigns As Maharashtra Women’s Commission Chief After Nashik Godman Controversy | 📰 LatestLY
Rupali Chakankar, the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, has resigned from her post following a major political controversy involving her alleged links to a self-styled godman. The resignation comes days after the arrest of Captain Ashok Kharat. 📰 Ashok Kharat Viral Video: Rupali Chakankar Resigns As Maharashtra Women’s Commission Chief After Nashik Godman Controversy.
Maharashtra women's panel chief Rupali Chakankar asked to resign for links with rape accused Nashik astrologer
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday asked Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar to submit her resignation amid a row over her being associated with self-proclaimed spiritual leader and astrologer Ashok Kharat who has been arrested for raping a woman and exploiting many others. Notably Chakankar hasn't come to office since March 18 and has gone completely incommunicado with her team. "Maharashtra state women’s c…
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