Nobody shall be spared in Kharat case, says Fadnavis

Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the SIT probing the rape-accused astrologer Ashok Kharat case is being monitored at the highest level and that no one will be spared regardless of political affiliation, while dismissing opposition attempts to give the case a political colour.

Fadnavis said he has directed the director general of police (DGP) to monitor the probe. "This is a matter of women's dignity. No one will be spared under any circumstances," he said.





The CM said more women are now coming forward with complaints, adding investigators are encouraging victims to speak up by reassuring them and their families. "We are aware that women do not come forward immediately due to shame or social pressure. That is why efforts are being made to give courage to victims and their families to come forward," Fadnavis said.

On the nature of the case, Fadnavis said his administration had itself exposed it based on intelligence inputs. "The Kharat matter is extremely serious. We are the ones who blew the lid off it based on our intelligence," he said, adding the entire case is being monitored at the most senior levels, with Nashik commissioner of police and the SIT working together on the investigation.

Responding to opposition demands for action against those with links to the accused, Fadnavis said why should those in the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt who granted favours to Kharat not be held accountable. "If those who merely met him (Kharat) should face action, then those who gave him the 40-km water line through a special Cabinet meeting — what punishment should they get? Why are you silent about that?" he said.

Fadnavis added that he has evidence of opposition leaders visiting the accused but said it was for the police, not him, to act on it. "If someone's involvement is established, action will be taken. But we are not interested in politics — we are interested in women's dignity," he said.

On the resignation of Maharashtra Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar, Fadnavis confirmed she stepped down after acknowledging her close association with the accused made it untenable for her to continue in the role.

On Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) announcing a march to RSS headquarters in Nagpur, where VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar and Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal will participate, Fadnavis said police will take appropriate decision. "Everyone has the right to march in a democracy, but they should at least know why they are marching," he said.

People know who the infiltrators are: Fadnavis

Reacting to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee being called a PM candidate by her party members, Fadnavis said such things must not be given importance. He also took strong exception to Banerjee calling PM Narendra Modi the "biggest infiltrator". "Pressure has built up on her mind as she can foresee electoral loss. And under that pressure, a person sometimes loses judgement. When someone loses rational thinking and says such things, it should not be given much importance. People know who the infiltrators are and who saves the country," he said.
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