Mumbai, Dec 19 (NationPress) The Bombay High Court on Friday denied a request to suspend the conviction handed down by a Nashik sessions court to former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Manikrao Kokate related to the Nashik housing fraud case involving the unlawful acquisition of government flats.

Nevertheless, the High Court has provided Kokate with protection from arrest and has put his two-year prison term on hold while awaiting the final hearing on his revision petition disputing the sessions court's ruling.

As a result of this ruling, Kokate’s position within the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly remains precarious, as the conviction is still in effect.

The sessions court sentenced him to a two-year rigorous imprisonment, prompting him to seek recourse from the High Court. Subsequently, he was relieved of his sports and minority affairs responsibilities, with his resignation from the Cabinet being accepted on Thursday. Notably, Kokate underwent heart surgery on Friday.

Earlier, amidst a backlash from the Opposition, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar accepted Kokate’s resignation on Thursday after an arrest warrant was issued against him for the housing fraud case.

Kokate had resigned to DCM Pawar on Wednesday following the sessions court's sentencing in the Nashik housing fraud case. That evening, he lost his sports and minority affairs roles and was made a minister without a specific portfolio.

In a post on X, Ajit Pawar stated: “Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and my party colleague Shri Manikrao Kokate has submitted his resignation to me following the outcome of the Hon’ble Court’s verdict. In alignment with our party’s enduring principle that the rule of law is paramount, his resignation has been accepted in principle. I have submitted Shri Kokate’s resignation to the Hon’ble CM for appropriate consideration and acceptance, as per constitutional protocol.”

Pawar further emphasized: “Our party has steadfastly upheld that public life must be governed by constitutional integrity, institutional respect, and deference to the judiciary. We remain committed to the rule of law and will act to uphold democratic values and public confidence.”

DCM Pawar reached this conclusion after a lengthy meeting exceeding two-and-a-half hours with party working president Praful Patel and state chief Sunil Tatkare.

Kokate, a five-term MLA from the Sinnar constituency in Nashik district, possesses a history of shifting political allegiances. His legislative future is uncertain, depending on whether the High Court ultimately affirms the sessions court's conviction.

The allegations against the Kokate brothers date back to 1995 and involve the misuse of flats allocated under the Chief Minister’s quota, designated for low-income individuals without other property ownership. Manikrao Kokate and his brother Vijay Kokate allegedly submitted falsified affidavits and documents to obtain two flats in the 'Nirman View Apartment' situated at Canada Corner in Nashik.

Investigations unveiled that the brothers were also occupying two additional flats within the same building that had been assigned to other individuals. Following an inquiry by the district administration, Vishwanath Patil, then an official of the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) department, lodged a complaint, resulting in a fraud case being filed at the Sarkarwada Police Station against four individuals, including the Kokate brothers.

Ultimately, the court sentenced them to two years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹50,000 each.

Since his induction into the Cabinet, Kokate has consistently attracted controversy. He was stripped of the agriculture portfolio after the legislative session in July, following allegations from NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar that Kokate was distracted by mobile games during a Legislative Council session. Kokate denied the accusation, but the incident garnered significant criticism.

He also drew ire for his comments regarding farmers, stating: “Even a beggar does not accept one rupee, yet here we offer crop insurance for merely one rupee; nevertheless, some individuals attempt to exploit it.”

During a municipal campaign, Kokate criticized coalition partner BJP, labeling it a “corrupt party” (batlela paksha) that thrives on undermining other parties while neglecting loyal members.

Earlier this year, another NCP minister, Dhananjay Munde, resigned following the involvement of his aide Walmik Karad in the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district.