Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate Resigns After Conviction and Arrest Warrant in 1995 Fraud Case

New Delhi Chronicle Political Bureau

Mumbai |December 18 |2025
Maharashtra Sports, Youth Welfare and Minority Affairs Minister Manikrao Kokate resigned from the state cabinet on Wednesday following a court decision upholding his conviction in a decades-old cheating and forgery case and the subsequent issuance of an arrest warrant.

Kokate, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and MLA from Sinnar in Nashik district, stepped down after a Nashik Sessions Court confirmed a two-year prison sentence in a 1995 housing fraud case. The verdict intensified political pressure on the ruling alliance, with opposition parties demanding immediate accountability.

The case relates to allegations that Kokate and his brother had submitted forged income documents to illegally secure flats under a government housing scheme meant for economically weaker sections. The court upheld both the conviction and the sentence, triggering legal consequences that could include disqualification from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Following the court order, a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against the minister, significantly escalating the situation and prompting his resignation. Kokate submitted his resignation to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, which was later accepted by the Governor.

Political Reactions and Fallout

The development sparked sharp reactions across Maharashtra’s political spectrum. Opposition leaders accused the government of delaying action despite the conviction and questioned the moral authority of leaders facing criminal charges to continue in public office.

The resignation is expected to lead to a cabinet reshuffle, with Kokate’s portfolios likely to be redistributed among senior ministers in the coming days.

Legal Options Ahead

Kokate’s legal team is preparing to move the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the conviction and sentence. Any relief from the higher court could have a direct bearing on his political future, including the question of disqualification as an MLA.

As the legal battle continues, the episode has once again brought the spotlight on political accountability and ethical standards in Maharashtra’s governance.