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- Maharashtra Woman Commission Chief Resigns Over Tantric Ritual Accusations
Mumbai6 minutes ago
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Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare showed the picture of Women Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar with her severed finger.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday sought the resignation of the chairperson of the State Women’s Commission following allegations of relations with rape accused astrologer Ashok Kharat in Maharashtra. Opposition parties had accused Women Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar of having links with the accused.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare claimed that Chakankar, under the influence of Kharat, had cut off his ring finger or third finger for a tantric ritual. Andhare also showed photographs in which Chakankar is seen with a bandage on his third finger.
In fact, on Wednesday, the police arrested a famous astrologer Ashok Kharat (67) for repeatedly raping and blackmailing a 35-year-old woman in Nashik, Maharashtra. According to the police, the astrologer has sexually harassed many women.
Ashok Kharat is a retired merchant navy officer. He called himself Captain.
Chakankar had demanded to form SIT
Earlier, Chakankar had written a letter to Director General of Police Sadanand Date demanding that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be formed against Kharat. A demand was made to order the SIT to investigate the allegations of rape and sexual abuse.
But opposition leaders tried to corner the BJP-led government by highlighting Chakankar’s links with the accused.
Along with this, activist Anjali Damania had also demanded immediate removal of Chakankar from the post. Sushma Andhare alleged that Kharat was involved in cases of financial fraud and land grabbing along with sexually exploiting women under the guise of spiritual rituals.
Victim’s allegation – used to scare and threaten with prophecies
A woman who lodged an FIR alleges that the astrologer sexually assaulted her several times between November 2022 and December 2025. The victim alleges that on the pretext of worship, the astrologer used to call her to his office located in Canada Corner area of Nashik.
According to the FIR, the astrologer used to tell the woman that as per his prediction, her husband’s life was in danger. After this, he would make the woman drink intoxicating drink and rape her. Police said that he also used to scare the woman through his predictions and threats.
According to the police, the accused had identified himself as a proven astrologer.
Kharat’s political connections extended from Delhi to Maharashtra
Kharat is the chairman of Shri Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple Trust located at Mirgaon in Sinnar taluka of Nashik district. He has a luxurious farmhouse there, where many influential people used to visit. The accused ran an office named ‘Okus Property Dealers and Developers’ in Canada Corner area of Nashik.
It is alleged that criminal activities actually took place there. He had established himself as a powerful and accomplished astrologer in the society. It is said that his political connections extended from Delhi to the power of Maharashtra.
It was told that in the past many politicians and famous people had come to meet this astrologer. He was considered the spiritual guide of many leaders, celebrities and industrialists. In November 2022, the then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with his cabinet colleagues Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Deepak Kesarkar met Kharat at the Mirgaon temple.
Police arrested the accused from his bedroom
Nashik Police had conducted a secret operation to arrest Kharat on Wednesday. In the dark of night, the police created an atmosphere of chaos outside the accused’s house by shouting ‘thief-thief’. On this pretext, the team reached inside the house and arrested the accused from his bedroom.
A pistol, live cartridges and used cartridges were also recovered from Kharat’s farmhouse during the raid. Searches were also conducted in the temple and ashram located in Mirgaon, where many suspicious documents were found. According to the police, many of his properties in Maharashtra have also come under investigation.
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