Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Maharashtra Minister Kokate Convicted in 1995 Case
Manikrao Kokate, who was a minister in Maharashtra, had to step down from his job.
A court found him guilty of cheating and forgery in a case that started in 1995.
He and his brother were accused of lying about their income to get special housing meant for poor people.
The court sentenced him to two years in prison and a fine.
After the court's decision, he got sick and was taken to the hospital.
The government has taken away his ministerial responsibilities and given them to someone else.
Kokate has denied the allegations and has appealed the verdict.
He has been involved in other controversies, including issues with a crop insurance scheme and accusations of playing an online card game during a legislative session.
Manikrao Kokate, a five-time MLA and NCP leader, was convicted in a 1995 case involving the illegal allotment of government flats using forged documents.
A Nashik sessions court upheld a two-year prison sentence and a fine of ₹50,000 for Kokate and his brother, who were found guilty of cheating and forgery.
Kokate resigned from his position as Sports and Minority Affairs Minister after the conviction and was admitted to the ICU at Lilavati Hospital due to chest pain.
The case involves Kokate and his brother allegedly submitting fake documents to claim flats under the Chief Minister's discretionary quota, which is meant for economically weaker sections.
Kokate has been involved in several controversies, including issues with the crop insurance scheme and accusations of playing an online card game during a legislative session.
- Who
- Manikrao Kokate, former Sports and Minority Affairs Minister of Maharashtra and NCP leader
- What
- Convicted in a 1995 cheating and forgery case related to the illegal allotment of government flats
- When
- December 17, 2025 (sentence upheld), case dates back to 1995
- Where
- Nashik, Maharashtra, India
- Why
- Allegedly misused a housing scheme meant for economically weaker sections by forging documents
Government and Prosecution
Manikrao Kokate
Housing Scheme Misuse
Government and Prosecution
Kokate and his brother falsely claimed low income and forged documents to secure flats under the Chief Minister's discretionary quota.
Manikrao Kokate
Kokate denies wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict in the Bombay High Court.
Crop Insurance Scheme
Government and Prosecution
The scheme faced scrutiny due to irregularities, with over four lakh applications rejected.
Manikrao Kokate
Kokate defended the scheme, stating it was beneficial overall and that the government incurred no losses.
- Name
- Manikrao Kokate
- Position
- Former Sports and Minority Affairs Minister, Maharashtra
- Conviction
- Cheating and forgery
- Case Period
- 1995
- Housing Scheme
- Chief Minister's discretionary quota
- Complainant
- Anjali Dighole-Rathod (daughter of late MLA Tukaram Dighole)
- Sentence
- 2 years imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000
- Current Status
- Admitted in ICU at Lilavati Hospital
- Political Affiliation
- Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
- Previous Portfolios
- Agriculture, Sports, Minority Affairs
Sources
Maharashtra News: Convicted Minister Manikrao Kokate Scrambles To Retain Cabinet Post As Opposition Demands Sacking
Maharashtra Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate Resigns After Court Issues Arrest Warrant
Convicted ex-Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate in ICU after Nashik Court charged him in 1995 cheating case
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar To Handle Manikrao Kokate's Portfolios As He Resigns After Conviction In 1995 Case
NCP minister Manikrao Kokate loses portfolios after court setback over illegal acquisition of govt flats
Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate stripped of his portfolios
Stripped of portfolios, NCP minister Manikrao Kokate no stranger to row: Rummy trouble to housing scam
Nashik: Manikrao Kokate Resigns From Cabinet After Arrest Warrant In Housing Scam
Maharashtra's 'Rummy' Minister Sacked, But Pressure Grows On D Fadnavis
Who is Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate, earlier caught in ‘rummy row’ and now convicted in forgery case?
'Rule Of Law Is Supreme': Ajit Pawar Confirms Manikrao Kokate Resignations After Arrest Warrant In Housing Scam
NCP leader Manikrao Kokate resigns from Maharashtra Cabinet
Maha Sports Minister Kokate resigns as Bombay HC set to hear plea to stay conviction today
Maharashtra's 'Rummy' Minister Resigns, Second From NCP To Quit Cabinet
NCP minister Kokate quit over old case, it has nothing to do with present govt: Bawankule
NCP Minister Manikrao Kokate Resigns After Conviction In Government Flat Allotment Forgery Case
Devendra Fadnavis Accepts Maharashtra's 'Rummy' Minister's Resignation: Sources
