State Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has received relief from the Nashik Sessions Court after it suspended his sentence in a forgery case. This decision has prevented a potential crisis regarding his MLA status. Earlier, the Nashik court had found Kokate guilty of fraud and sentenced him to two years in prison along with a fine of Rs 50,000. Following this verdict, Kokate challenged the decision in a higher court.
Kokate, an MLA from the Sinnar Assembly constituency representing the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), was accused of submitting false documents to obtain a flat under the Chief Minister's quota. The case, dating back nearly 30 years, involved allegations that Kokate and his brother provided false income details to qualify for a house under the government’s 10 percent quota between 1995 and 1997. The then Additional District Collector had investigated the matter, leading to a prolonged legal battle.
A case was registered against Kokate at Sarakwada police station based on a complaint by former minister Tukaram Dighole. He was charged under sections 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 471 (using forged documents), and 47 of the Indian Penal Code. The Nashik court's recent decision to suspend the punishment has come as a major relief for Kokate, as it ensures that he can continue in his ministerial role and retain his MLA status for now.