Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate Convicted in Cheating Case, Faces Disqualification Risk

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister and NCP leader Manikrao Kokate has been convicted in a cheating case and sentenced to two years in prison, raising the possibility of losing his membership in the Legislative Assembly. The conviction poses a fresh challenge for the BJP-led Maha Yuti government.

The Nashik District and Sessions Court found Kokate guilty in a 30-year-old case involving document tampering to illegally acquire two flats under the Chief Minister’s discretionary quota. However, he has secured bail.

The verdict adds to the troubles of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who leads the tri-party coalition of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

Kokate (67), a five-term MLA from Sinnar in Nashik district, is a close aide of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also serves as NCP President.

This marks the second instance of a minister facing legal trouble after state Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection Minister Dhananjay Munde (49), another Pawar loyalist. Munde’s aide, Walmik Karad, was recently arrested in an extortion case linked to the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a three-time Sarpanch from Massajog village.

On Thursday, the Nashik District and Sessions Court convicted Kokate and his brother, Vijay Kokate, in the case registered in 1997 based on a complaint by former minister, the late T. S. Dighole. The case was originally filed at the Sarkarwada police station in Nashik.

“When they acquired the flats, they falsely claimed to be financially distressed and without any property of their own. They submitted fake documents,” Assistant Public Prosecutor Poonam Ghotke stated.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each of the convicted brothers.

Kokate may face disqualification as an MLA if he does not secure relief from the Bombay High Court. However, he dismissed the case as politically motivated, attributing it to a rivalry with Dighole.

“I have decided to appeal against the verdict. We will follow all legal procedures and approach the High Court. The Sessions Court has granted me bail,” Kokate said.

The Kokate brothers were allotted two Low Income Group (LIG) flats on College Road in Yeolekar Mala, Nashik, under the Chief Minister’s 10% discretionary quota.

Following the verdict, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has mounted an attack on the government.​