A new controversy has erupted in the Ashok Kharat case. The self-styled godman is now accused of supplying minor girls to political leaders. This extremely serious allegation was made by RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, further intensifying outrage around an already explosive case.
In an interview, Vijay Kumbhar also strongly criticized the State Women’s Commission chairperson, Rupali Chakankar, as well as political leader Sunil Tatkare. He questioned their statements regarding a victim and accused Chakankar of having prior knowledge of the situation without taking any concrete action.
According to him, Rupali Chakankar had been aware of the matter for over a year, possibly up to a year and a half, yet failed to intervene. He further alleged that she maintained close ties with the godman. In his view, such silence amounts to indirect support for the crimes attributed to Ashok Kharat.
Vijay Kumbhar went even further by demanding her immediate arrest. He argued that removing her from office would not be enough and that a criminal case should be filed against her. He even suggested that she could be directly involved, which would justify legal action.
The activist also revealed that a complaint against Ashok Kharat had been filed with the Women’s Commission about a year ago. However, instead of taking action against the accused, the institution allegedly acted against those who exposed the case. This has raised serious concerns about the role of the commission.
In this context, Vijay Kumbhar has sent a letter to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, calling for a thorough investigation. He emphasized the need for swift action to uncover the full truth behind the case.
He also targeted the former Education Minister, questioning his competence. In a sarcastic remark, he asked whether some political leaders were themselves influenced by fake godmen like Ashok Kharat, highlighting the alleged extent of such influence in political and administrative circles.
It is worth noting that Ashok Kharat was recently arrested by Nashik police. He faces serious charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and other criminal offences. Authorities reportedly seized 58 obscene videos and additional evidence during the investigation.
Presenting himself as a “Captain” and astrologer, he was believed to hold significant influence within political and administrative networks. These new revelations are likely to increase pressure on authorities and institutions involved.
The allegations made by Vijay Kumbhar could now intensify scrutiny on the Maharashtra government and the Women’s Commission. Other activists, including Trupti Desai, had already criticized Rupali Chakankar’s role in the matter.
With these new developments, the case is taking on a more political dimension. Attention is now focused on whether a comprehensive investigation will reach the highest levels of power.
