Big Breaking! Major Relief for Manikrao Kokate; Supreme Court Stays Kokate's Sentence

Manikrao Kokate Big Breaking: Senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and former minister Manikrao Kokate has received significant relief from the Supreme Court. The court has temporarily stayed his sentence, ensuring that his position as a legislator remains secure for now. The Supreme Court has clarified that he cannot be disqualified as a legislator until the final hearing of the case, and has sent a notice to the state government.

Manikrao Kokate was sentenced to two years in the case of providing false information to obtain a government house. Earlier, the Mumbai High Court had stayed his arrest, but no change was made to the sentence. Kokate had approached the Supreme Court against that decision. Today, a hearing was held on this petition. At that time, the Supreme Court stayed Kokate's sentence, giving him relief. The court clarified that he will not be removed from the position of MLA until the next hearing is completed. A response has been sought from the state government on this matter.

What exactly is the case?

It is alleged that about 30 years ago, Manikrao Kokate obtained a flat in the low-income group by underreporting his income in a posh area of Nashik city. Under the Chief Minister's quota, flats were allotted to four people in the 'View Apartment' building in the Canada Corner area. This included Manikrao Kokate, his brother Vijay Kokate, as well as Popat Sonawane and Prashant Govardhane.

In this case, in February 2025, the Nashik District Court had convicted Manikrao Kokate. He then appealed to the Sessions Court, but the sentence was upheld there as well. Further, he did not get relief in the High Court either. Finally, after a hearing on the petition filed in the Supreme Court, today his sentence has been stayed. This has given Manikrao Kokate significant relief until the final decision, and his membership in the legislature will remain intact.