Mumbai: The Nashik sessions court on Saturday adjourned Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate’s plea seeking a stay on his two-year sentence in a cheating case. The court stated that records from the magistrate’s court, which convicted Kokate, were yet to be received and instructed the lower court to send the necessary documents. The next hearing has been scheduled for March 5.
Kokate, 67, was convicted on February 20 on charges of cheating and forgery in a case dating back more than 30 years. The magistrate’s court found that Kokate and his brother, Vijay Kokate, fraudulently obtained two flats under the Chief Minister’s discretionary quota, which is meant for economically weaker sections. The court ruled that they had secured these flats using fabricated documents.
Following his conviction, Kokate filed a criminal appeal before the sessions court, requesting a stay on his conviction. If granted, this would provide temporary relief, preventing his disqualification as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Act mandates disqualification for individuals sentenced to two years or more in a criminal case.
Meanwhile, the sessions court rejected intervention applications filed by two individuals, including one Sharad Shinde, who sought to participate in the proceedings as concerned citizens and voters. The court ruled that they had no legal standing in the matter. One of the applicants also requested time to present additional documents, alleging that Kokate had not fully disclosed details in his election affidavit. This plea was also dismissed.
The Opposition has been demanding Kokate’s immediate disqualification and removal from the cabinet since the February 20 verdict. The case was originally filed in 1995 by then-Shiv Sena MLA and minister Tukaram Dighole, who accused Kokate of fraudulently acquiring government-allocated flats.
On February 24, the Nashik sessions court temporarily suspended the conviction and granted bail to Kokate and his brother. They were released on a surety of Rs 1 lakh each. The next hearing on Kokate’s plea for a stay on his sentence will be held on March 5.
Background of the Case
In 1995, Manikrao Kokate and his brother Vijay Kokate allegedly secured two flats in Nashik under the government’s discretionary quota for economically weaker sections by submitting forged documents. Following a complaint by then-MLA Tukaram Dighole, the case was registered against them.
On February 20, 2025, the Nashik magistrate’s court found them guilty of cheating and forgery, sentencing them to two years in prison.
Kokate has appealed against the verdict and sought a stay to prevent his disqualification as an MLA. While his sentence has been temporarily suspended, he remains out on bail pending further court proceedings.
