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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court granted partial relief to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA and former minister Manikrao Kokate on Monday. The court stayed his conviction in a cheating and fraud case, ensuring that it will not result in his disqualification from the Maharashtra legislative assembly.
Judicial Proceedings and Court Orders
The relief was provided by a Supreme Court vacation bench, which comprised Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. They issued a notice to the Maharashtra government regarding Kokate’s plea to challenge his conviction and sentence handed down by a trial court in February.
“Issue notice. Meanwhile, the conviction of the petitioner shall remain stayed only to the extent that it does not result in his disqualification as an MLA,” the bench stated, as reported by news agency ANI.
Background of the Case
Kokate approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court suspended his two-year jail sentence but declined to stay his conviction. He filed a petition following a Nashik sessions court’s decision, which upheld the trial court’s February judgment convicting him and his brother in a fraud case dating back to 1995.
The trial court had found Kokate and his brother, Vijay, guilty of abusing a government housing scheme designated for economically weaker sections. The scheme, operational between 1989 and 1992, was meant for individuals earning up to Rs 30,000 per year. The brothers were accused of submitting false affidavits to underreport their income, leading to the illegal allotment of two government flats.
Consequences of the Conviction
As a result of the sessions court’s ruling, Kokate was relieved of all his governmental portfolios, which included sports and youth welfare, minority development, and auqaf. These responsibilities have since been assigned to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP Chief Ajit Pawar.
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Also Read: Ex-minister Manikrao Kokate helps NCP win in Sinnar and Nandurbar
For further developments, refer to: Bombay HC suspends Mani Rao Kokate’s jail term
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