Pune: Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) and opposition parties on Saturday mounted pressure on the govt, demanding former state women’s commission chief Rupali Chakankar and others associated with arrested Nashik-based astrologer Ashok Kharat be named as co-conspirator in the case.MANS secretary Milind Deshmukh said, “Being the head of the state women’s commission, Chakankar was expected to help the women victims in getting justice, but it is now becoming clearer that she helped in protecting Kharat. We will soon meet the chief minister, demanding that Chakankar’s removal as SWC chief is not enough and she should be named as a co-conspirator in the case.”The women’s wing of Congress held agitation against Kharat and Chakankar in Pune on Saturday. Members of Shiv Sena (UBT) demanded the govt to invoke provisions of the MCOCA in the Kharat case, claiming that it was an organised crime.Chakankar’s name came under the scanner following the arrest of Kharat in a rape case and allegations of his involvement in exploiting other women because she was one of the trustees of his trust. Amid the growing pressure, Chakankar resigned as the chairperson of the state women’s commission on Friday.Deputy leader of Shiv sena (UBT) Sushma Andhare said, “This is perhaps the first instance where the chief of the state women’s commission had to quit over a women’s sexual exploitation case, which is quite unfortunate. Several other big names are involved in helping Kharat. Therefore, we demand the state govt to invoke provisions of the MCOCA in the case and arrest others involved in the crime.”As the assembly session is going on, members of opposition parties said the issue would be raised in the House next week. Senior Congress member Vijay Wadettiwar said, “Like Chakankar, some more big fish are involved in the case. They were closely associated with Kharat. We will be raising the issue in the ongoing assembly session, demanding the govt to take strict action against all people whose names surface during the course of investigation.“
