Kokate to remain MLA as SC stays his conviction in cheating case
Consequently, Kokate will not be disqualified as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate, who has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in a 1995 forgery and cheating case, resigned from his post on Thursday.
Kokate has also sought a stay on his conviction to continue serving as an elected representative, and the Bombay High Court has agreed to hear his plea on Friday, December 19.
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The Representation of the People Act, 1951, mandates the disqualification of elected representatives sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more in a criminal case.
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After accepting Kokate’s resignation on Thursday, NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tweeted from his X account, “Maharashtra cabinet minister and my party colleague Manikrao Kokate submitted his resignation to me after the court’s decision. In keeping with our party’s long-standing philosophy that the rule of law is supreme and above all individuals, the resignation has been accepted in principle.”
“I have forwarded Shri Kokate’s resignation to the Hon’ble CM for due consideration and acceptance, in accordance with constitutional procedure. Our party has always believed that public life must be guided by constitutional morality, institutional integrity, and respect for the judiciary. We stand firmly by the rule of law and will continue to act in a manner that upholds democratic values and public trust.”
The development came after Kokate was stripped of his portfolios on Wednesday, after which Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat reassigned these to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
In a letter addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Governor Devvrat said, “I have received your letter dated December 17, 2025, recommending that the portfolio of Sports and Youth Welfare, Minority Development and Aukaf held by Adv Manikrao Saraswati Shivaji Kokate be allocated to Shri Ajit Ashatai Anantrao Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister (Finance and Planning, State Excise. I hereby convey my approval to your abovementioned recommendation.”
Earlier, the Nashik Sessions Court upheld Kokate’s two-year sentence in a 1995 fraud and forgery case, as well as issued an arrest warrant against him.
Manikrao Kokate is currently undergoing treatment at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. It is not immediately known whether Kokate will be arrested from Lilavati Hospital itself.
Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik has sought detailed information on the matter from senior police officers, and various options are being examined, sources said. Kokate’s medical condition, the doctor’s report, and legal matters are also being thoroughly verified. The Nashik police is expected to take further decisions only after legal advice, sources said.
According to Lilavati Hospital’s Dr Jaleel Parkar, Kokate is under observation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for Acute Coronary Syndrome and accelerated hypertension as a result of the angioplasty he had undergone 11 years ago. “He is under the care of cardiologist Dr Suresh G Vijan,” Dr Parkar stated.
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