Kamal Ghorui
PUNE: Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sushma Andhare and NCP’s Rupali Thombare on Friday alleged that Maharashtra State Women’s Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar was involved in black magic practices with astrologer Ashok Kharat, who was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting women in Nashik, and that she intimidated his victims.The allegations surfaced after photographs of Chakankar with Kharat appeared on social media, hours after she denied any links with him. The state women’s panel chief, also an NCP member, was unavailable for comment. Sources said her whereabouts were unknown after the incident came to light.Addressing a press conference, Sena (UBT)’s Andhare claimed that one of the victims told her Chakankar had allegedly threatened several women assaulted by the accused astrologer. “Some victims said they were threatened against filing complaints, with calls allegedly made late at night. Others claimed they were pressured not to report the crime,” she said.Andhare said police should examine call records of Chakankar and the accused to identify who they contacted and whether anyone was pressured not to report the crime.In a separate press conference, NCP’s Thombare said she would write to party chief and deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar, and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking a probe into the allegations. She also claimed Chakankar was a member of a trust run by Kharat.“A year ago, Chakankar asked a local reporter to apologise after he reported on a victim of the astrologer. As chairperson of the state women’s commission, she should have investigated the matter instead of targeting the reporter,” Thombare said, adding that the crimes might have surfaced earlier had there been no interference.Both Andhare and Thombare accused Chakankar of involvement in black magic practices with Kharat and demanded her arrest, noting that such practices are prohibited in Maharashtra.Meanwhile, Chakankar resigned as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission after being asked to step down by CM Devendra Fadnavis.Sources said Fadnavis summoned Chakankar to his official residence on Friday evening and directed her to resign immediately. She later met Dy CM Sunetra Pawar, who is also NCP chief, and submitted her resignation letter. She continues as head of the NCP women’s wing.In her resignation letter addressed to Fadnavis, Chakankar said, “I am resigning from the post voluntarily owing to personal reasons.” She had held the position since October 2024.Kharat (67) was arrested by Nashik city police on Wednesday following a complaint by a 28-year-old woman, who accused him of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2022 and 2025.Chakankar had been part of a temple trust headed by Kharat. After the controversy broke, images surfaced showing her washing his feet, being fed by him, and holding an umbrella to shield him from the sun. In a video that later went viral, she had also compared him to Lord Vitthal.Speaking to the media, Chakankar said, “I have submitted my resignation to allow for a transparent probe. My family believed in Kharat as a guru, and we attended his Guru Purnima functions. We were unaware of the personal allegations against him. I was shocked to hear about this case. What happened is wrong and terrible, and the police must investigate it impartially.”Chakankar admitted she was initially associated with the temple trust as its Maharashtra chief and later as a member, but said its tenure ended in August 2025. “The videos and photos being circulated are old. My husband and I both washed Kharat’s feet during a Guru Purnima function,” she said.She added that the commission had acted promptly on complaints against another member of Kharat’s trust last year. “I will be filing defamation cases against those who have made false allegations against me,” she said.
