Mumbai, March 21: Rupali Chakankar resigned as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSWC) on Friday, March 20, following mounting political pressure over her alleged association with self-proclaimed godman Ashok Kharat, who was recently arrested on charges of s*xual harassment and rape. In one particular video, Rupali Chakankar can be seen performing a traditional ritual of washing Kharat’s feet and referring to him as her "guru". The resignation came after directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had earlier summoned her and asked her to step down with immediate effect.

Rupali Chakankar met Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar at her official residence before formally submitting her resignation. The move follows widespread backlash after videos and photographs surfaced online showing Chakankar performing rituals with Kharat, including washing his feet and referring to him as her “guru.” Is Ashok Kharat Viral Video Nashik Download Link Real or Clickbait Scam? Here's the Truth.

Rupali Chakankar Resigns

Video of Rupali Chakankar Washing Feet of Ashok Kharat That Led to Her Resignation

Arrest of Ashok Kharat and SIT Probe

Ashok Kharat was arrested earlier this week in Nashik after a complaint by a 35-year-old woman alleging sexual exploitation. Police investigations have since expanded, with authorities reportedly recovering a pen drive containing at least 58 video recordings of private moments involving multiple individuals.

The state government has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations, which include repeated sexual assault and the recording of explicit videos. Chief Minister Fadnavis has directed that the inquiry be time-bound and impartial. 'Captain' Ashok Kharat Video: Retired Navy Officer Arrested by Nashik Police in S*xual Exploitation Case.

Chakankar, prior to her resignation, had also written to Maharashtra Director General of Police Sadanand Date, urging a thorough investigation and stating that the Women’s Commission was closely monitoring developments.

Political Reactions and Allegations

The controversy has triggered strong reactions across political parties. Leaders including Sanjay Raut and Rupali Thombare Patil demanded Chakankar’s resignation, arguing it was necessary to ensure a fair investigation.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare and social activist Anjali Damania accused Chakankar of shielding Kharat and alleged links to questionable practices. Chakankar has denied wrongdoing and said she would respond to all allegations with evidence. Damania further alleged that Kharat used manipulative methods, including administering substances to women under the pretext of spiritual practices, before exploiting them.

DISCLAIMER: This article is strictly for informational and educational purposes to raise awareness about the said topic. 

LatestLY DO NOT host, distribute, or provide links to sexually explicit content, leaked videos, or pirated material. Any search terms or keywords mentioned are solely for the purpose of explaining the viral trend and its associated dangers. We strongly condemn the circulation of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) and advise all readers to refrain from searching for or sharing such content, as doing so may lead to severe legal consequences.

TruLY Score by LatestLY
Rating:5

TruLY Score 5 – Trustworthy | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 5 on LatestLY. It is verified through official sources (Official X Account of Rupali Chakankar ). The information is thoroughly cross-checked and confirmed. You can confidently share this article with your friends and family, knowing it is trustworthy and reliable.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2026 12:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).