Mumbai, March 20 (NationPress) NCP figure Rupali Chakankar, caught in the controversy surrounding Captain Ashok Kharat, stepped down on Friday as the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women.

Acting on orders from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, she visited Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar at her official residence, 'Devgiri', where she promptly submitted her resignation.

The Chief Minister had previously summoned her to his residence, Varsha, and demanded her immediate resignation.

This directive came just two days after the arrest of the self-styled godman Captain Ashok Kharat in Nashik, facing serious allegations of sexual harassment and rape.

Chakankar serves as a trustee for Shri Shivnika Sansthan in Sinnar, Nashik district, where Kharat holds the position of president. The Chief Minister's orders followed public outrage after a video emerged of her performing a ritual of washing Kharat’s feet.

Fadnavis has initiated the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations against Kharat, which include multiple instances of sexual assault and unauthorized recordings of various women.

On Friday evening, Chakankar reached out to Maharashtra DGP Sadanand Date with a request for a comprehensive, timely, and impartial investigation.

She emphasized that the commission is closely monitoring the situation and urged the Nashik police commissioner to keep the commission informed.

Authorities seized a pen drive containing at least 58 video recordings of individuals in private situations. Photos also surfaced showing Chakankar shielding Kharat with an umbrella and engaging in Paadya Pujan (ritual foot washing).

Additionally, she faces allegations of intimidating a journalist who reported on Kharat a year prior. Chakankar has stated she will respond to all accusations with supporting evidence soon.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare, activist Anjali Damania, and NCP’s Rupali Thombare have accused Chakankar of participating in black magic rituals and shielding Kharat.

Leaders from various parties, including her colleague Rupali Thombare Patil and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, have called for her immediate resignation to guarantee a fair investigation.

NCP working president Praful Patel remarked that the situation is extremely serious and that stringent actions will be taken against anyone found culpable.

He warned against jumping to conclusions based solely on photographs.

NCP state president Sunil Tatkare later stated that the government would adopt a strong stance and ensure strict measures against the guilty while supporting a fair investigation.