Nashik Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate
Nasik court issues warrant against Manikrao Kokate for forgery.
The Nasik District Sessions Court confirmed a lower court's ruling by issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant against Maharashtra Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Manikrao Kokate, an NCP MLA, in a long-standing case centred on cheating and forgery to unlawfully obtain two residential apartments under the Chief Minister's discretionary 10 per cent housing quota.
Kokate, along with his brother Sunil Kokate, has been convicted and sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment accompanied by a Rs 50,000 fine for multiple offences under the Indian Penal Code, including Section 420 for cheating, Sections 465, 471, and 474 for forgery-related crimes, and Section 34 for acts done with common intention.
The prosecution's case, initiated in 1995 based on a complaint filed by the late former minister T S Dighole, established that the brothers deliberately submitted falsified income proof documents to qualify for and secure Low Income Group flats located on College Road in Nashik's Yeolakar Mala area, exploiting the then-prevailing Chief Minister's quota meant for deserving beneficiaries.
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In the wake of the upheld verdict, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held discussions with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar regarding the political implications, including identification of a suitable replacement for the Sports portfolio once Kokate tenders his resignation following arrest, though Pawar requested additional time to finalise decisions.
The conviction carries severe consequences under Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, mandating automatic disqualification from legislative membership from the date of conviction for any sentence of two years or more, extending for a further six years after release, rendering Kokate's position untenable unless the Bombay High Court grants immediate interim relief, even as he remains hospitalised complaining of chest pain and uneasiness.
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