Former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Manikrao Kokate has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a Mumbai hospital following a court verdict that convicted him in a decades-old cheating case. The development comes just a day after a Nashik sessions court upheld his two-year prison sentence.
Court Upholds Conviction in Three-Decade-Old Case
The Nashik district and sessions court on Tuesday, December 17, confirmed a two-year imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000 against the 68-year-old politician. The court upheld the order of a first-class judicial magistrate related to a housing scheme scam dating back to 1995. The case involved the alleged misuse of a 10% quota reserved for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).
Both Manikrao Kokate and his brother, Vijay Kokate, were convicted in the matter. Following the dismissal of his appeal against the earlier verdict, the court issued an arrest warrant against the former minister on Wednesday.
Hospitalization Delays Arrest, Portfolios Reassigned
The execution of the arrest warrant was temporarily deferred as Kokate was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra. He complained of chest pain and uneasiness, leading to his ICU admission for treatment. His lawyer has now approached the Bombay High Court seeking an urgent hearing, which is scheduled for December 19.
In the immediate political fallout, Governor Acharya Devvrat stripped Kokate of his ministerial portfolios. The charge of the Sports and Youth Welfare, Minority Development and Aukaf departments has been officially reassigned to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The Governor conveyed his approval based on a recommendation from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Political Career and Recent Controversies
Manikrao Kokate, a five-time MLA from the Sinnar assembly constituency in Nashik district, had stepped down from his post as Sports Minister on December 17 after the court pronounced him guilty. His political journey has been marred by recent controversies, including being in the spotlight earlier this year for playing a mobile game during a state legislature session.
The Mahayuti government, led by Devendra Fadnavis, had initially given him the agriculture portfolio but later changed it to Sports after a series of contentious remarks by the leader. Amid the current turmoil, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar cancelled his election engagements to hold meetings with senior NCP leaders and brief the Chief Minister.
The legal proceedings in this three-decade-old case mark a significant moment, highlighting the long judicial process in corruption cases involving public figures in Maharashtra.
