File photo MUMBAI/PUNE: NCP politician Rupali Chakankar, who is under a cloud after her alleged links to rape-accused astrologer Ashok Kharat came to light, resigned from her post 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 for a meeting on Friday evening and directed that she resign immediately. She then called on Dy CM Sunetra Pawar, who is also NCP chief, and handed over her resignation letter. She retains her post as chief of NCP women’s wing.Her resignation letter, addressed to Fadnavis, said, “I am resigning from the post voluntarily owing to personal reasons.” She had occupied the position from Oct 2024.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel pounds Tehran as Iranians mark Nowruz; UAE, Kuwait defences respond to missile barrage’World’s first hit’: Iran claims strike on US F-35 lightning 2 – why it’s a big dealIran hits Ras Laffan facility: Qatar’s 17% LNG capacity gone, $20bn loss; which countries will be impacted?Kharat (67) was arrested by Nashik city police on Wednesday after a complaint by a woman (28) who accused him of sexually assaulting her repeatedly for three years between 2022 and 2025.Chakankar has been part of a temple trust headed by Kharat. After the controversy broke, images surfaced showing her washing Kharat’s feet, being fed by him and holding an umbrella to shield him from the sun. She had also compared him to Lord Vitthal in a video which later went viral.Besides the opposition, calls for Chakankar’s resignation also came from within the NCP, with Rupali Thombare Patil from the party alleging Chakankar had not acted on complaints against Kharat.Speaking to the media, Chakankar said, “I have sent in my resignation letter to allow for a transparent probe. My family believed in Kharat as a guru, and we have been present at his guru purnima functions. We did not know anything about the personal allegations against him. I was shocked when I heard about this case. What happened is wrong and terrible. We do not support it, and police need to probe it impartially.”Chakankar admitted she was part of the temple trust initially as its Maharashtra chief and then as member. But she said the tenure of the trust ended in Aug 2025. “The videos and photos shown are old. My husband and I both washed Kharat’s feet during a guru purnima function.”She also said the commission had immediately acted on complaints against another member of Kharat’s trust last year. “I will be filing defamation cases against those who made false allegations against me,” she said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMoD Reveals India Exploring Joining GCAP Or FCAS Sixth Generation Fighter ProgrammePM Modi Speaks To Bahrain King, Condemns Attacks On Energy Infra, Stresses Secure Shipping RoutesTrump Sending Troops To Strait Of Hormuz?; ‘Iran Being Decimated’: Bibi Denies Dragging U.S Into WarDiplomacy In New Avatar: Why Vikram Doraiwami Picked Chinese Name Wei Jiameng As India’s New EnvoyHow Iran’s Attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Gas Hub Sparks India’s Energy EmergencyIndian National Killed In Riyadh, MEA Confirms Total 6 Dead, 1 Missing Amid Israel-Iran WarRussia Tip Off Led To NIA Arrest Of Matthew VanDyke, Global Insurgency Network Exposed In Northeast’Some Say India Can Stop The War’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Big StatementPremium Petrol Prices Hiked By Up To ₹2.35 Per Litre In India Amid West Asia ConflictPakistan’s Fake War Narrative Exposed: India Busts Digital Attack After Iran’s IRIS Dena Strike123PhotostoriesMen’s health: Doctor shares early signs of low testosterone and if over-the-counter supplements helpFrom losing his mother at the age of 2 to delivering 15 flop Bhojpuri films and earning Rs 1.5 lakh per episode of Comedy Circus, When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his struggle8 desi vegetables that are actually foreign12 strangest place names in the world and the stories behind themEid Mubarak 2026: 6 traditional Seviyan preparations that complete the Eid feasting5 most scenic riverside retreats in India perfect for April travel5 advanced features in bikes that enhance performanceWhy no one stays in this forest after sunset: Unraveling the mystery of Nidhi Van6 spiritual cities emerging as India’s real estate hotspots in 20265 ways to use avocado peel in daily meal plans123Hot PicksIran newsGautam SinghaniaStrait of HormuzGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingIga SwiatekAir India Boeing 77760% free seat ruleQatar LNG ExportsMojtaba KhameneiJames GraceySpring EquinoxDiesel price hike8th Pay CommissionPremium Petrol Price Hike
MUMBAI/PUNE: NCP politician Rupali Chakankar, who is under a cloud after her alleged links to rape-accused astrologer Ashok Kharat came to light, resigned from her post 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 for a meeting on Friday evening and directed that she resign immediately. She then called on Dy CM Sunetra Pawar, who is also NCP chief, and handed over her resignation letter. She retains her post as chief of NCP women’s wing.Her resignation letter, addressed to Fadnavis, said, “I am resigning from the post voluntarily owing to personal reasons.” She had occupied the position from Oct 2024.Kharat (67) was arrested by Nashik city police on Wednesday after a complaint by a woman (28) who accused him of sexually assaulting her repeatedly for three years between 2022 and 2025.Chakankar has been part of a temple trust headed by Kharat. After the controversy broke, images surfaced showing her washing Kharat’s feet, being fed by him and holding an umbrella to shield him from the sun. She had also compared him to Lord Vitthal in a video which later went viral.Besides the opposition, calls for Chakankar’s resignation also came from within the NCP, with Rupali Thombare Patil from the party alleging Chakankar had not acted on complaints against Kharat.Speaking to the media, Chakankar said, “I have sent in my resignation letter to allow for a transparent probe. My family believed in Kharat as a guru, and we have been present at his guru purnima functions. We did not know anything about the personal allegations against him. I was shocked when I heard about this case. What happened is wrong and terrible. We do not support it, and police need to probe it impartially.”Chakankar admitted she was part of the temple trust initially as its Maharashtra chief and then as member. But she said the tenure of the trust ended in Aug 2025. “The videos and photos shown are old. My husband and I both washed Kharat’s feet during a guru purnima function.”She also said the commission had immediately acted on complaints against another member of Kharat’s trust last year. “I will be filing defamation cases against those who made false allegations against me,” she said.
