Mumbai, March 28 Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Saturday demanded the death penalty for self-proclaimed religious figure Ashok Kharat, who was arrested on March 18 for allegedly repeatedly raping a woman over the past three years.
Kharat has been named in eight FIRs so far after multiple complaints were received alleging sexual assault, extortion, and the circulation of objectionable material.
Speaking to reporters, Mungantiwar said, "I am a law-abiding citizen, but after seeing and hearing about the barbaric acts of Ashok Kharat, one feels he should not receive any legal leniency. No court, no proceedings. Such a person should be publicly punished and hanged. He has insulted the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and disrespected women. Such acts are an affront to Maharashtra and its values."
Strong action would send a message to other self-proclaimed religious figures, Mungantiwar said, while lamenting that such incidents, which bring disrepute to religion, continue to take place despite the teachings of reformers like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule, and Shahu Maharaj being imparted in schools.
On the resignation of NCP leader Rupali Chakankar as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women's Commission, Mungantiwar said that it was appropriate to demand resignations when serious allegations arise.
This ensures that investigations are not influenced, he added.
