Chakankar Under Fire: Calls for Resignation Mount After Photos Surface with Arrested 'Astrologer'

A fierce political storm has engulfed Maharashtra after images emerged showing State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar alongside Ashok Kharat, a 67-year-old self-proclaimed astrologer recently arrested for allegedly raping a woman over three years. The Nashik police detained Kharat, known locally as "Captain," on March 18, 2026, igniting widespread outrage and demands for accountability from public officials. This controversy highlights the blurred lines between spirituality, influence, and power in Indian politics.

The victim, a woman aged 28 to 35, lodged a complaint detailing repeated sexual assaults from 2022 to 2025. She first approached Kharat in 2019 for astrological advice on marriage alongside a relative but reconnected in 2022 when a prospective match surfaced. Kharat allegedly exploited her vulnerability, invoking claims of divine intervention and coercive rituals to perpetrate the crimes. Authorities have charged him under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions for rape and outraging a woman's modesty, alongside Maharashtra's stringent anti-superstition and black magic law. He remains in police custody until March 24, 2026, as investigations deepen.

Opposition parties swiftly capitalized on the scandal, amplifying photos of Chakankar with Kharat to question her judgment and the ruling alliance's associations. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare alleged government protection for Kharat, citing 58 objectionable videos recovered from his possession that purportedly implicate influential figures. Congress Leader Harshvardhan Sapkal called for Chakankar's immediate resignation, framing the episode as a betrayal of her women's rights mandate. Kharat's role as Chairman of the Shree Ishaneshwar Mahadev Temple Trust further fueled accusations of unchecked clout, with his ₹200 crore empire of luxury bungalows and farmhouses now under the scanner for illicit accumulation.

Also Read: IRGC Officer Naini Killed In Strike After Warning Israel Of Missile Escalation

Chakankar has rebutted the criticism, maintaining that her meetings with Kharat were strictly professional, centered on temple-related community work, and that she was unaware of his criminal history. She emphasized her commitment to women's safety and distanced herself from any endorsement of his personal actions. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam appealed to other possible victims to step forward, assuring confidentiality and state protection. He stressed that the probe would remain apolitical while targeting exploitative superstitious practices prevalent in the region.

Kharat's lavish lifestyle and political connections paint a picture of a man who wielded astrology as a tool for influence peddling. Reports suggest he advised politicians on future prospects, amassing wealth through dubious means, including a prior stock trading scam that saw him flee abroad before resurfacing. Police seizures include compromising materials hinting at blackmail networks, prompting a broader inquiry into his dealings with Nashik's elite. This case echoes past scandals involving godmen, underscoring systemic failures in vetting spiritual leaders with public access.

The uproar has reverberated across Maharashtra, with media dubbing it the state's "Epstein Files" due to Kharat's shadowy web of power. As investigations proceed, public discourse demands stricter oversight of self-styled mystics and transparency from officials. Nashik residents express shock at the betrayal by a figure once revered, while activists push for legal reforms to curb exploitation masked as faith. The scandal threatens to linger, testing the government's resolve amid mounting political pressure.

Also Read: Newly Married Woman Dies in Gurugram, Family Alleges Husband Injected Toxin