Under fire over links with rape accused godman, Maharashtra women's panel chief quits

Facing flak over her association with rape-accused 'godman' Ashok Kharat, Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Rupali Chakankar on Friday tendered her resignation.

Chakankar, who is also the NCP women's wing chief, submitted the resignation letter to deputy Chief Minister and party president Sunetra Pawar.

According to sources, she met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier in the evening, and he asked her to resign.


In the letter addressed to Fadnavis, Chakankar stated that she was stepping down from the post with immediate effect.

She had been appointed to the post on October 15, 2024.

"Due to personal reasons, I am submitting my resignation from the post," the letter read, while also thanking the state leadership and colleagues for their cooperation.

Opposition parties were targeting Chakankar over her alleged association with self-proclaimed godman Ashok Kharat who was arrested in a rape case by Nashik police earlier this week. Chakankar was a member of a temple trust headed by Kharat.