Maharashtra women’s panel chief quits amid godman row; political links under scrutiny

Rupali Chakankar, a leader of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, resigned as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission late Friday night after controversy erupted over her alleged links with arrested godman Ashok Kharat.

Her resignation came shortly after meetings with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.

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The move followed the circulation of photographs by the opposition purportedly showing her association with Kharat, who is linked to the Shree Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple Trust in Nashik district.

In a statement, Chakankar said she had submitted her resignation to Sunetra Pawar, taking “moral responsibility” to ensure a fair and transparent probe into the allegations.

She maintained that her association with the trust was in a social and religious capacity and denied any knowledge of alleged wrongdoing by Kharat.

She also alleged that misinformation was being spread against her and said she would initiate legal action against those defaming her.

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said the decision regarding her constitutional post was taken after discussions between the Chief Minister and Deputy CM, while a decision on her party position would be taken after a complete investigation.

The controversy has triggered a wider political storm, with opposition leaders raising serious allegations.

Sushma Andhare of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) accused Chakankar of being part of an alleged organised crime network linked to Kharat and demanded her arrest under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

Speculation has also intensified around senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare after a photograph showing his bandaged finger went viral, with unverified claims linking it to alleged occult practices.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has questioned Deepak Londhe, reportedly a close aide of Deepak Kesarkar, an MLA from the Shiv Sena and former school education minister. Investigators suspect possible business links between Londhe and Kharat, particularly in land transactions.

Further controversy arose after photographs surfaced showing Kesarkar with the godman.

Reacting to the development, Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut alleged that Kharat had influenced transfers and postings in the Education Department during Kesarkar’s tenure.

Kesarkar, however, denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and asserting that his interactions with Kharat were limited to social and religious events linked to the temple.

He urged that no political conclusions be drawn merely on the basis of photographs and said the matter should be left to the courts following a thorough investigation.

The case has widened into a multi-layered political controversy, with multiple leaders across party lines facing scrutiny over alleged links to the godman.

Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing, and further developments are expected as the probe progresses.