The recent scandal involving Rupali Chakankar and Ashok Kharat has raised significant concerns in Maharashtra, culminating in Chakankar’s resignation and Kharat’s arrest.
On March 20, 2026, Rupali Chakankar resigned from her position at the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission amid a scandal involving Ashok Kharat, who was arrested on serious charges including rape, molestation, and cheating. This incident has drawn widespread attention, particularly after a disturbing video surfaced showing Kharat urinating into a glass and offering it to a woman.
The case has escalated with the police filing two additional rape FIRs against Kharat, bringing the total number of cases registered against him to eight. Allegations suggest that Kharat threatened his victims using plastic snakes and tiger skins, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Chakankar’s involvement in the case has raised eyebrows, especially as she was listed as a trustee of Kharat’s charitable trust, Shivanika. She has claimed that her finger injury, which has been a point of speculation, was the result of an accident during a ritual.
Neeraj Jadhav, a key figure in this unfolding drama, recorded over a hundred videos of alleged assaults by Kharat, which have become crucial evidence in the investigation. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted on March 13, 2026, to delve deeper into the allegations against Kharat, who had built a significant following among politicians, bureaucrats, and police officers over two decades.
In a shocking revelation, Jitendra Awhad stated, “I have the names of all the MLAs. I will reveal them at the right time,” hinting at a broader web of complicity. Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis remarked, “Nothing happens through black magic,” dismissing Kharat’s claims of supernatural powers.
Reports indicate that Kharat had been operating in Nashik for nearly 20 years, leveraging political patronage that spanned party lines. His alleged crimes reportedly took place between 2022 and 2025, with three women coming forward to lodge formal complaints against him.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Kharat’s properties were searched, resulting in the seizure of 21 live cartridges and evidence of extortion demands reaching up to five crores. Furthermore, Kharat was known to sell energised stones for 100,000 rupees, further complicating his profile as a self-proclaimed spiritual leader.
As the investigation unfolds, observers are left to ponder the implications of this scandal on Maharashtra’s political landscape. Raj Thackeray expressed concerns that the matter might be used to “clip the wings of someone’s ambition,” suggesting that political motivations could be at play.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of Kharat’s network and the potential involvement of other political figures. The public and authorities alike await further developments in this shocking case.
