Maharashtra State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar resigned on Friday following public backlash over her association with a self-styled numerologist and godman recently arrested on multiple rape charges.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis summoned Chakankar to his official residence and directed her to step down on moral grounds. The directive followed the circulation of videos showing Chakankar washing the feet of Ashok Kharat and holding an umbrella for him. Kharat was arrested in Nashik on Wednesday after a 35-year-old woman filed a police complaint alleging he drugged and repeatedly raped her between November 2022 and December 2025.
The resignation marks the second instance of a Nationalist Congress Party leader stepping down under pressure within the tripartite state government.
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Chakankar, who also serves as the NCP women’s wing chief, submitted her resignation letter to Deputy Chief Minister and NCP National President Sunetra Pawar. In her defense, Chakankar stated the widely circulated video was five to six years old and recorded during the Guru Paurnima festival, a time when her family considered Kharat a spiritual guide. She stated she was being targeted because of her gender and noted she officially requested an impartial Special Investigation Team probe into the matter before resigning.
Kharat, who identifies himself as a retired Merchant Navy officer and is referred to by followers as “Captain,” is now the subject of a broader inquiry. Following the arrest, Chief Minister Fadnavis established a Special Investigation Team headed by IPS officer Tejasvi Satpute to investigate the scope of the sexual abuse allegations against Kharat.
Political opponents, including Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare and activist Anjali Damania, publicly accused Chakankar of participating in occult rituals under Kharat’s influence. The opposition Congress party criticized the administration for a delayed response, alleging that Chakankar had threatened a journalist who was investigating Kharat the previous year.