Maharashtra NCP president and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Saturday forwarded the resignation of Rupali Chakankar who stepped down as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for further action.
Chakankar resigned a day earlier, on Friday, after Fadnavis directed her to do so amid a growing controversy over her alleged ties with self-styled godman Ashok Kharat. She submitted the resignation to Deputy CM Pawar.
Posting on X, Pawar said she had received Chakankar’s resignation and was forwarding it to Fadnavis to ensure the probe into the matter stays impartial. “In light of the current situation and the ongoing investigation, she has decided to step down from her post,” Pawar wrote, adding that keeping the inquiry transparent was the reason for routing the resignation to the CM.
Chakankar, for her part, told reporters she felt she was being singled out because of her gender. “My entire family follows the Warkari tradition, which is why we were connected to Kharat’s trust. However, I was unaware of his other side,” she said. “How can anyone know what a person will do in the future? Many people have photos with Kharat, but it hurts that I am being specifically targeted and accused because I am a woman.”
She also clarified that she and her family had regarded Kharat and his wife as spiritual figures, and said the videos and images currently in circulation are nearly six years old. She added that she was stepping down so her official post would not cast any doubt on the investigation not because she accepts the allegations against her.
The controversy broke after Nashik-based Kharat, a self-styled spiritual leader, was arrested on accusations of sexual exploitation and rape by multiple women. Photos and videos then surfaced on social media showing Chakankar in close proximity to Kharat including clips of her performing rituals and washing his feet triggering sharp political backlash from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, both of which had been demanding her removal, arguing her continued presence as Women’s Commission head could compromise the investigation.
The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team, led by IPS officer Tejasvi Satpute, to probe the allegations against Kharat.
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