Rupali Chakankar Appears Before SIT in Ashok Kharat Case, Maharashtra Political and Religious Scandal Deepens
Nashik, May 11, 2026: In a significant development in one of Maharashtra’s most disturbing sexual exploitation and financial fraud scandals, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Rupali Chakankar appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday for questioning regarding her alleged association with self-styled godman Ashok Kharat. Chakankar, who was forced to resign as the Maharashtra women’s panel chief and as head of the NCP women’s wing after her links to the accused came to light, has stated that she will fully cooperate with the probe.
The case has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political establishment, with senior Congress leader Nana Patole making explosive allegations that four state cabinet ministers were also connected to Kharat, whose life, Patole claimed, could be in danger while in prison. The controversy has raised serious questions about the nexus between religious figures, political leaders, and the exploitation of vulnerable women across the state.
Who Is Ashok Kharat? The Rise and Fall of a Self-Styled Godman
Ashok Kharat is a self-styled godman who has been arrested in connection with multiple cases of rape, sexual exploitation, and financial fraud. The allegations against him paint a disturbing picture of a man who allegedly used his spiritual persona to gain the trust of vulnerable women, only to exploit them sexually and financially. Kharat is currently under arrest, and the cases against him have been registered in Nashik and Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) districts of Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra government, recognizing the gravity and inter-district nature of the crimes, established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a total of 12 cases registered against Kharat. These cases include charges of sexual assault, rape, cheating, and financial fraud. The SIT has been tasked with unraveling the full extent of Kharat’s network, including any political or bureaucratic connections that may have enabled his alleged crimes to continue for years.
Rupali Chakankar: From Women’s Panel Chief to Accused
Rupali Chakankar was until recently a prominent face of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and held two significant positions: Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women and Chief of the NCP’s women’s wing. These roles carried immense responsibility, particularly the former, which is mandated to protect and advocate for women’s rights and safety.
However, when her alleged links to Ashok Kharat came to light, Chakankar was forced to resign from both positions. The controversy erupted after activist Anjali Damania made serious allegations against Chakankar, claiming to have evidence of extensive phone communications between the NCP leader and the accused godman.
On Sunday, Chakankar appeared before the SIT at the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik. According to sources, her questioning began around 12:30 p.m. Speaking to the media before or after her appearance, she stated, “I don’t know who is saying what. But you will get answers to all your questions after completion of the inquiry.” She further affirmed her willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation.
The 177 Calls: What Activist Anjali Damania Alleges
The most damaging allegations against Rupali Chakankar have come from activist Anjali Damania, who has demanded a thorough investigation into the NCP leader’s role. Damania has claimed that she possesses details of call records showing that Chakankar made 177 calls to Ashok Kharat. Even more strikingly, Damania has alleged that one of these conversations lasted 22 minutes in a single day.
While frequent communication between a political leader and a godman is not inherently incriminating, the context is critical. Kharat stands accused of rape and sexual exploitation. If the call records are authentic, the SIT will need to establish the nature and purpose of these communications. Were they social? Were they related to the alleged financial fraud? Or did Chakankar have knowledge of Kharat’s criminal activities and fail to act? These are the questions that the SIT is likely probing.
The Bank Account Allegation
Beyond the phone records, the SIT is also expected to question Chakankar about the alleged use of her sister’s bank account by Ashok Kharat. Financial fraud is one of the key charges against the self-styled godman, and investigators will likely examine whether Chakankar or her family members facilitated any financial transactions for Kharat.
The use of third-party bank accounts is a common method employed by those involved in financial fraud to launder money or obscure the trail of illicit funds. If it is proven that Chakankar’s sister’s account was used by Kharat, it would significantly deepen the NCP leader’s legal troubles and could lead to charges of abetment or money laundering.
Political Fireworks: Nana Patole’s Explosive Allegations
While the SIT focuses on Chakankar, the political fallout from the Kharat case has escalated dramatically. Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Nana Patole has made sensational claims that have put the state government on the defensive.
Speaking to reporters, Patole alleged that four Ministers in the State Cabinet were connected to Kharat. He further claimed that Kharat’s life could be in danger while in prison, implying that powerful interests might try to silence the accused godman before he can reveal damaging information about his political connections.
Patole did not stop at mere allegations. He announced that the Congress party would write to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking the removal of the four ministers allegedly connected to Kharat. This is a direct challenge to the BJP-led state government and has the potential to trigger a major political crisis if Patole’s claims are substantiated or even if they gain public traction.
BJP’s Counter: “Reveal Names or Stop Making Baseless Claims”
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reacted sharply to Nana Patole’s allegations. Senior BJP leader and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Banwalke responded by demanding that the Congress leader name the four ministers rather than providing incomplete and vague information.
“If Congress leaders have evidence, they should reveal the names of the ministers. Making sweeping allegations without naming anyone is irresponsible,” Banwalke is understood to have said. He further assured the public that Ashok Kharat was safe in custody, dismissing Patole’s suggestion that the godman’s life was in danger as a baseless scare tactic designed to create political instability.
This exchange highlights the high-stakes political battle unfolding alongside the criminal investigation. The Congress party, which is in opposition in Maharashtra and is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, sees an opportunity to embarrass the BJP government. The BJP, in turn, accuses Congress of playing politics with a serious criminal matter involving sexual assault victims.
The SIT’s Mandate and Scope
The Maharashtra government’s decision to form an SIT indicates the seriousness with which it is treating the Kharat case. The SIT has been tasked with investigating 12 cases of sexual assault and financial fraud registered against Kharat in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts. The fact that cases are spread across multiple districts suggests that Kharat’s alleged criminal activities were not confined to a single geographic area, and his network may have been extensive.
The SIT is likely to examine several key areas:
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The modus operandi of Ashok Kharat – how he gained the trust of victims, what promises he made, and how he allegedly exploited them.
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The role of intermediaries – whether any individuals or organizations facilitated Kharat’s access to vulnerable women.
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Financial trail – tracing the flow of money from victims to Kharat and possibly to other individuals or accounts, including the alleged use of Rupali Chakankar’s sister’s bank account.
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Political and bureaucratic connections – determining whether any public officials, including politicians or police officers, were aware of Kharat’s activities and either turned a blind eye or actively protected him.
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Victim protection and support – ensuring that the women who have come forward with allegations are provided with safety, counseling, and legal aid.
The Larger Pattern: Godmen, Exploitation, and Political Patronage
The Ashok Kharat case is not an isolated incident. India has witnessed a disturbing pattern of self-styled godmen using religious piety as a cover for sexual exploitation and financial fraud. From Asaram Bapu to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, numerous cases have exposed how spiritual personas can be weaponized to prey on the vulnerable.
What makes the Kharat case particularly significant is the alleged political dimension. If Nana Patole’s claims about four ministers being connected to Kharat are proven true, it would represent a systemic failure where the political establishment either enabled or failed to act against a serial predator. On the other hand, if Patole’s allegations are found to be politically motivated and false, it would represent a dangerous trend of weaponizing sexual assault cases for electoral gain.
Implications for the NCP
For the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Chakankar controversy comes at a difficult time. The NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, is part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra alongside the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). Having one of its prominent women leaders implicated in a case involving a godman accused of rape is deeply embarrassing for a party that has historically positioned itself as a champion of social justice and regional pride.
Chakankar’s resignation from the women’s panel and the NCP women’s wing was a necessary damage-control measure, but it may not be sufficient. If the SIT’s investigation uncovers evidence of wrongdoing or complicity, the political cost for the NCP could be substantial.
What Happens Next
As the investigation proceeds, several developments are likely:
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The SIT will continue questioning Rupali Chakankar and may call her again if new evidence emerges.
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The SIT may also question other political leaders if their names surface during the probe.
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The Congress party is expected to formally write to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking the removal of the four ministers allegedly connected to Kharat.
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The state government may face opposition pressure to widen the scope of the SIT’s inquiry to include all political connections.
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The media will continue to scrutinize the call records and financial transactions, potentially revealing more names.
Conclusion
Rupali Chakankar’s appearance before the SIT marks a critical juncture in the Ashok Kharat case. While she has professed willingness to cooperate, the questions around her 177 phone calls to the accused godman, the alleged use of her sister’s bank account, and her role as women’s panel chief while being associated with a man accused of sexual exploitation remain unanswered.
Simultaneously, Nana Patole’s allegations of cabinet-level involvement have injected a volatile political element into the case. Whether these claims are substantiated or not, they ensure that the Kharat scandal will not fade from public attention anytime soon.
For the victims of Ashok Kharat, the hope is that the SIT conducts a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation—uninfluenced by political pressures—and that justice is delivered swiftly. For Maharashtra’s political class, the case serves as a stark reminder that proximity to accused individuals, even indirectly, can have severe reputational and legal consequences.
5 Question & Answers (Q&A) for Exam / Interview Preparation
Q1. Who is Rupali Chakankar, and why did she appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday?
A1. Rupali Chakankar is a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) who previously held two important positions: Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women and Chief of the NCP women’s wing. She appeared before the SIT on Sunday for questioning regarding her alleged association with self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who is under arrest in several rape and sexual exploitation cases. Chakankar was forced to resign from both positions after her alleged links to Kharat came to light. Her questioning took place at the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik beginning around 12:30 p.m., and she has stated that she will fully cooperate with the probe.
Q2. How many cases has the SIT been tasked with investigating against Ashok Kharat, and in which districts were these cases registered?
A2. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been tasked with probing a total of 12 cases of sexual assault and financial fraud registered against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat. These cases were registered in two districts of Maharashtra: Nashik district and Ahilyanagar district (formerly known as Ahmednagar). The Maharashtra government established the SIT to handle the inter-district nature of the crimes and ensure a coordinated investigation.
Q3. What specific allegations has activist Anjali Damania made against Rupali Chakankar regarding phone calls?
A3. Activist Anjali Damania has made serious allegations against Rupali Chakankar based on call record evidence. Damania has claimed that:
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Chakankar made 177 calls to Ashok Kharat, the accused godman.
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One of these conversations lasted 22 minutes in a single day.
Damania has demanded a thorough investigation into Chakankar’s role based on these call records. The SIT is likely to question Chakankar about the nature and purpose of these communications, given that Kharat is accused of rape and sexual exploitation.
Q4. What explosive allegation did senior Congress leader Nana Patole make, and how did BJP leader Chandrashekhar Banwalke respond?
A4. Senior Congress leader Nana Patole made two explosive allegations:
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Four Ministers in the State Cabinet were connected to Ashok Kharat.
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Kharat’s life could be in danger in prison, implying that powerful interests might try to silence him.
Patole further announced that the Congress party would write to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking the removal of these four ministers.
BJP leader and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Banwalke responded by:
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Demanding that Patole reveal the names of the four ministers rather than providing incomplete information.
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Assuring the public that Kharat was safe in custody, dismissing the claim of danger as baseless.
Q5. Besides the phone call records, what other financial allegation is the SIT likely to investigate against Rupali Chakankar?
A5. Besides the phone call records, the SIT is likely to investigate the alleged use of Rupali Chakankar’s sister’s bank account by Ashok Kharat. Financial fraud is one of the key charges against Kharat, and the use of third-party bank accounts is a common method for laundering money or obscuring the trail of illicit funds. The SIT will likely examine whether Chakankar or her family members facilitated any financial transactions for the accused godman. If proven, this could lead to additional charges against Chakankar, including abetment or money laundering.
