India, May 15 -- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned Rupali Chakankar, former chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) and NCP leader, for eight hours on Thursday, in connection with its money-laundering investigation into the Ashok Kharat case. The ED wanted to gather financial details relating to Chakankar and her family, to ascertain whether they had financial ties to Kharat.

Chakankar was also questioned at length about the activities of the Shivnika Sansthan, a Nashik-based temple trust headed by Kharat where she was a trustee, and what her role was, officials said. She denied any wrongdoing during her questioning. Her statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During...