Supreme Court Stays Conviction of NCP Leader Manikrao Kokate, Bars MLA Disqualification
The Supreme Court of India on Monday stayed the conviction of Manikrao Kokate, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), in a 1995 cheating case. The stay has been granted only to the limited extent that Kokate will not face disqualification as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order while issuing notice on Kokate’s plea challenging a decision of the Bombay High Court. Earlier, the High Court had suspended his sentence but refused to stay his conviction.
While granting interim relief, the Supreme Court clarified that the stay on conviction would not entitle Kokate to hold any office of profit. During the hearing, Justice Bagchi made a significant observation, stating that a false declaration does not automatically amount to forgery and that there appeared to be a “fundamental error” in the conviction.
The case relates to allegations that Kokate and his brother had wrongly availed government flats under a housing scheme meant for economically weaker sections between 1989 and 1992. Under the scheme, only individuals earning up to ₹30,000 per year were eligible. The prosecution claims that Kokate submitted false affidavits showing his income below the limit, despite allegedly earning much more from his legal practice and agricultural activities.
According to the prosecution, Kokate’s family owned around 25 acres of agricultural land, and he earned substantial income by supplying sugarcane to local factories. These income sources were allegedly not disclosed while applying for the flats.
Kokate was first convicted by a trial court in February 2025. The Sessions Court at Nashik later upheld the conviction and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment on December 16. Following the sentence, Kokate resigned from his ministerial post, and the resignation was reportedly accepted by the State Government.
Earlier, on December 12, the Bombay High Court had refused to stay the conviction, observing that holding a constitutional office demands a high level of integrity and accountability. The High Court had held that allowing a convicted person to continue in public office could harm public confidence in democratic institutions.
Before the Supreme Court, Kokate argued that his conviction could lead to his disqualification as an MLA, causing irreversible harm. Accepting this limited concern, the apex court stepped in to protect him from immediate disqualification while the matter remains pending.
Kokate was represented by Mukul Rohatgi.
Case Title: Manikrao Shivaji Kokate v. State of Maharashtra (Diary No. 74050-2025)
