Maharashtra's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister, Manikrao Kokate, has been stripped of all his ministerial portfolios following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him in a 1995 cheating and forgery case. The Nashik District Court upheld his two-year jail term for fraudulently obtaining government flats meant for economically weaker sections.
The warrant was issued after Kokate failed to appear in court on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The case dates back to 1995, involving allegations that Kokate misrepresented his income to acquire flats under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota in Nashik. The initial complaint was filed by Anjali Dighole Rathod, daughter of former Maharashtra minister T.S. Dighole.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recommended to Governor Acharya Devvrat that Kokate be relieved of his responsibilities. The Governor accepted the recommendation, and Kokate's portfolios, which included Sports and Youth Welfare, Minority Development, and Aukaf, were handed over to Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar. Despite losing his portfolios, Kokate remains a minister in the state cabinet.
Kokate, a five-term MLA from the Sinnar constituency in Nashik district, has a history of shifting political allegiances. He was earlier convicted by a magistrate court in February 2025. On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Additional Sessions Judge P.M. Badar of the Nashik District and Sessions Court confirmed Kokate's conviction under sections 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for cheating) and 471 (using forged document) read with Section 34 IPC, while acquitting him of charges under Sections 467 and 474 IPC. The court directed the Magistrate to take steps for the execution of the jail term.
Kokate's legal team has approached the Bombay High Court seeking urgent relief and a stay on his conviction. His lawyer, Aniket Nikam, informed the High Court that Kokate faces an “imminent threat of losing his Ministry and Assembly seat” following the conviction. The High Court has scheduled a hearing for Friday.
Adding to the drama, Kokate was admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Wednesday. The precise nature of his illness has not been disclosed.
This is not the first time Kokate has faced controversy. He was previously removed from the agriculture ministry after allegations surfaced that he was playing games on his mobile phone during a legislative session. He also sparked outrage after making controversial remarks about farmers.
The opposition has criticized the decision to merely divest Kokate of his portfolios, demanding his immediate disqualification. The NCP has yet to release an official statement regarding Kokate's situation. Kokate is the second NCP politician to face action since the Mahayuti alliance formed the government in November 2024. Earlier this year, Dhananjay Munde had to resign amidst allegations linking his associate to a murder case.
