SIT Grills Chakankar For 6 Hours Over Alleged Kharat Links
Would fully cooperate with the probe and respond to all queries raised by the police: Rupali Chakankar
MUMBAI: NCP leader and former Women’s Commission chief Rupali Chakankar was questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday for nearly six hours regarding her alleged links to self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who is currently under arrest in multiple charges of sexual assault and fraud.
According to sources, the SIT team during interrogation subjected Chakankar to a barrage of questions over her relationship with Kharat, financial ties, other political figures who frequented Kharat, the specific bank accounts through which financial transactions linked to Kharat were conducted.
Chakankar, who resigned as the state women’s panel chief amid the controversy, said that she would fully cooperate with the probe and respond to all queries raised by the police.
“I have extended full cooperation regarding everything the police required; during the SIT investigation. I have provided appropriate responses to the SIT,” she stated refraining from making any further comments. However, she made it clear that she had presented her side of the matter in detail before the investigative agencies.
The Nashik police arrested Kharat on March 18 for allegedly raping a woman repeatedly for three years. A probe, however, revealed several crimes, including sexual assault, land grabbing, financial irregularities, as well as cheating using black magic, among others.
The Maharashtra government has set up an SIT to probe 12 cases of sexual assault and financial fraud registered against Kharat in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts.
However, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushama Andhare termed Chakankar’s interrogation as ‘nothing but a farce.’ “Chakankar ought to have been interrogated within the very first week. Despite being fully aware of all the facts, she effectively shielded the culprits. Her official position was misused to protect the offender. It was expected that a direct charge sheet would be filed against her; however, that did not happen,” Andhare said.
“The fact that Chakankar has been summoned for questioning after two months clearly implies that this summons is merely a token gesture. We do not believe that anyone intends to seriously pursue her punishment or take any stringent action against her,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader added.