Supreme Court Orders Quick Resolution in Maharashtra Minister's Housing Fraud Case

The Supreme Court has directed the Bombay High Court to expedite the review of a fraud case involving former Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate, linked to a government housing scheme for the economically weaker sections. The court upheld the stay on Kokate's conviction, ensuring he does not face disqualification as a legislator. This case, dating back to 1989-92, involves allegations of deceitful practices to secure housing benefits. As the political pressure mounts, Kokate's legal battles continue amidst claims of false affidavits and significant income discrepancies. Read on for a detailed overview of the case and its implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2026, 17:39 IST

Supreme Court Directs Expedited Review of Housing Fraud Case

New Delhi, August 4 - The Supreme Court has instructed the Bombay High Court to resolve the review petition filed by former Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate regarding a fraud and forgery case linked to a government housing scheme within six months. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Suryakant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan, has also upheld the stay on Kokate's conviction. Previously, on December 22 of last year, the apex court had suspended his conviction, clarifying that he would not face disqualification as a legislator.

This case, associated with the government housing scheme for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) with an annual income limit of ₹30,000, dates back to 1989-92. Kokate serves as the legislator for the Sinnar assembly constituency in Nashik district. In February 2025, a magistrate court found him guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison.

The Nashik Sessions Court upheld this decision on December 16, stating that Kokate and his brother had deceitfully induced the state government to allocate them a flat. The Bombay High Court granted him bail on December 19, 2025, while suspending his two-year prison sentence for fraud and forgery, but denied a stay on his conviction. The High Court noted that prima facie evidence suggested the involvement of a leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the case.

Kokate is accused of obtaining a flat under the government housing scheme for the economically disadvantaged by submitting false affidavits. The High Court mentioned that since the magistrate court had only sentenced Kokate to two years and he had been on bail during the trial and appeal process, he could be granted bail. In his appeal to the High Court, Kokate claimed that his conviction was arbitrary and unlawful.

Following intensified demands from the opposition for his resignation, Kokate was stripped of his ministerial responsibilities on December 17. The next day, he resigned from the Maharashtra cabinet. That same night, a Nashik police team arrived in Bandra to execute an arrest warrant against him.

The Nashik Sessions Court stated that Kokate misled the state by presenting false income affidavits to secure a flat allocation. The court referenced bank loans for grapes and rabi crops, along with records from the Kopargaon Cooperative Sugar Factory, indicating that Kokate was a prosperous farmer whose income exceeded the eligibility limit, thus disqualifying him from the economically weaker section.