Overview
- A Nashik sessions court upheld in full the February conviction of Manikrao Kokate and his brother for cheating and forgery in a 1995 housing quota case, confirming a two-year jail term and fines.
- An additional chief judicial magistrate issued an arrest warrant after an application by the original complainant’s daughter, directing Kokate to surrender or face arrest.
- Before the resignation, Governor Acharya Devvrat approved reallocating Kokate’s Sports, Youth Welfare, Minority Development and Aukaf portfolios to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, leaving Kokate a minister without portfolio.
- Ajit Pawar said Kokate’s resignation has been accepted in principle and sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while the 68-year-old MLA was admitted to Lilavati Hospital and missed cabinet meetings.
- Under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, the two-year sentence places Kokate’s Assembly membership at risk unless a higher court stays the sentence, with the Speaker noting he awaits certified court orders.