The opposition has rallied against Mahayuti’s government in Maharashtra after more evidence emerged against self-proclaimed godman Ashok Kharat and after an objectionable video of Maharashtra minister Narhari Zhirwal allegedly showing him in a compromising position with a transgender went viral. The opposition is now demanding the removal of the minister from the cabinet. Mr. Zhirwal is the second leader from the NCP after Rupali Chakankar to find himself surrounded by controversy. After her name came up in the Ashok Kharat case, Ms. Chakankar had to resign as the head of the Maharashtra Women’s Panel.
More evidence
Another case has been registered against self-proclaimed godman and sexual assault accused Ashok Kharat, who allegedly cheated, instilled fear of death, making eight cases in total.
A Pune-based businessman filed a case at the Sarkarwada police station on Wednesday evening. According to the complaint of businessman Rajendra Jasud, he was manipulated and blackmailed by creating fear of death. He alleged that Kharat extorted money and foreign trips to 21 countries between 2018 and 2025 under the guise of getting divine powers to curb sarpa dosh (death by snakebite) and bring success.
According to police, the survivor funded trips and made financial transactions thinking he would be successful, but that did not happen. The SIT, headed by IPS officer Tejaswi Satput, is probing all cases including muggings, digital transactions and tracking all financial transactions and possession of assets.
On March 18, Kharat was arrested on rape charges by a woman who accused him of assaulting her over a three-year period; after that he was also accused of black magic and human sacrifice. Police are investigating allegations of sexual assault, while the Income Tax department is probing financial leads.
The Kharat episode created a political uproar in Maharashtra. Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders demanded the resignation of Mahayuti Party leaders associated with Kharat, including NCP leader Rupali Chakankar, who later resigned.
Maharashtra Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal termed Kharat as Bhondubaba and said, “Dozens of ministers and senior officials are involved in the Bhondubaba case, but the most shameful thing is that the chairperson of the State Commission for Women, Chakankar, had relations with Bhondubaba, who sexually exploits women.”
Video by Minister Narhari Zirwal
Mr. Sapkal also pointed out that after Ms. Chakankar, NCP leader and Minister of State for Food and Drug Control Narhari Zirwal’s fame came to the fore, saying, “While Maharashtra has been shamed enough by the lewd acts of dozens of ministers in the Mahayuti government who attended the immoral trial of another virus media minister, Ashok Kharatdubab. Both incidents reflect the moral decay of Maharashtra politics.”
On Thursday, he demanded the resignation of NCP leader and Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal following a video purportedly showing him with a trans woman in a compromising position at his official residence.
“The inappropriate video is not just an isolated incident, it reflects the moral decay in Maharashtra state politics,” Mr. Sapkal said, adding that it was shocking to see such unethical behavior by a public representative in whom people had invested their faith and money.
“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should now show Narhari Zirwal the way out of the cabinet without any delay,” he added.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also criticized the video but called it a result of internal conflict between Mahayuti allies, saying “This gang war within allies is trying to undercut each other, which is not in good faith for the state.”
He also pointed out that a similar case is that of Ashok Kharat who exploited so many women.
Meanwhile, social activist Anjali Damania said on Thursday: “Mr Zirwal should have been careful about the residence he was using; however, it is clear that the video was made with the intention of extortion and therefore warrants an investigation.”
The Sambhaji Brigade created an uproar by demanding that Ashok Kharat be shot dead.
Published – 27 March 2026 09:48 IST
