19 December,2025 06:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate was ordered by the Bombay HC to deposit Rs 1 lakh as surety. File Pic
The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to former Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate in a cheating and forgery case, suspending his two-year jail term but refusing to stay his conviction, reported the PTI.
Justice R N Laddha stated that the court cannot stay the conviction, citing prima facie evidence of Kokate's involvement. The case relates to Kokate allegedly securing a flat under a government scheme for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) by submitting false affidavits.
The court noted that since Kokate had been on bail throughout the trial and appeal hearings, and the sentence was only two years, it was inclined to grant bail. Kokate was ordered to deposit Rs 1 lakh as surety, according to the PTI.
Justice Laddha emphasised that allowing a convicted individual to hold a cabinet position based solely on a suspended sentence would prejudice public service, erode public confidence, and demoralise law-abiding citizens.
Kokate's revision petition against the Nashik sessions court order upholding his conviction has been admitted for hearing.
The court highlighted that as an MLA and former cabinet minister, Kokate occupies a constitutional office with a fiduciary responsibility, requiring ethical governance and adherence to the rule of law.
The case relates to a 1989-1992 housing scheme for the EWS category, with an annual income limit of Rs 30,000.
According to the Nashik sessions court, Kokate and his brother dishonestly induced the state government to allot flats by submitting false income affidavits.
Evidence, including bank loans for grapes and rabi crops and records from the Kopargaon Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana sugar factory, showed Kokate had significant income at the time and did not qualify for the scheme.
Kokate was admitted to Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, for an angiography and was scheduled for an SOS angioplasty, as per the PTI.
"He has four severe blockages and we have advised him bypass surgery (process to reroute blood flow around blocked arteries). He underwent coronary angiography (X ray test to view blockages or narrowing in the heart's arteries) today," Dr Jalil Parkar and Dr Suresh Vijan said.
"If Kokate does not want to undergo bypass surgery, angioplasty (procedure to widen narrowed or blocked blood vessels) can be done and treatment will continue. Kokate had two stents placed 15 years ago and these are in good condition," they added, the news agency reported.
On Thursday night, he resigned from the Maharashtra cabinet following public pressure and calls for his ouster. He had been divested of his portfolios on Wednesday night.
Ajit Pawar said the resignation followed the court verdict and underlined that the rule of law is above individuals.
"Kokate tendered his resignation to me, which has been accepted in principle, in keeping with the party's long-standing belief that laws and rules are paramount," Pawar said, according to the PTI.
He added that public life must be guided by constitutional morality, institutional integrity and respect for the judiciary.
The NCP president said that the party has full faith in the legal process and remains committed to maintaining law and order, while protecting democratic values and public trust.
(with PTI inputs)
