MUMBAI: In a significant development, Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, Manikrao Kokate, along with his brother, Vijay Kokate, has been sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment. 

The conviction stems from a 1995 case in which the brothers were accused of fraudulently obtaining flats under the state’s economically weaker section (EWS) housing quota by falsifying income documents.

The Nashik district and sessions court convicted the Kokate brothers on charges of cheating and forgery under the Indian Penal Code. Each was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment for each of the five offences, with the sentences to run concurrently. 

Additionally, the court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for each offence, totaling ₹50,000 for each convict. The court also directed the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and the Nashik deputy collector (urban land ceiling) to cancel the allotment of the flats after the appeals time concludes.

The case dates back to 1995 when former minister Tukaram Dighole filed a complaint alleging that the Kokate brothers had secured flats under the Chief Minister’s 10% discretionary quota by misrepresenting their income status. They claimed to belong to the low-income group (LIG) and falsely stated that they did not own any flats, thereby unlawfully obtaining the benefits intended for economically weaker sections.

Following the verdict, opposition parties in Maharashtra have called for Minister Kokate’s resignation. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare stated, “Till now, they (NCP) were claiming that none of the allegations were proved and hence there was no need for any resignation. However, a court has tried and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment. So he should resign and be disqualified.”

Minister Kokate, who was present in court during the sentencing, has been granted bail and plans to appeal the decision in the High Court.  Kokate said,  “This is a case from 1995 and the verdict in this case has been passed very late. Therefore, I will now appeal to the higher court.”