Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate gets two years' jail term in 30-year-old cheating case
Nashik, Feb 20 (PTI): Maharashtra Agriculture Minister and NCP leader Manikrao Kokate was on Thursday sentenced to two years' imprisonment by a court here in a 1995 case where he was charged with submitting fake documents to get flats under a government quota.
The minister told reporters later that the court had granted him bail, and he would move the High Court against the judgement.
The Nashik district and sessions court also convicted his brother Sunil Kokate in the same case, registered in 1995 on the complaint of former minister, late T S Dighole. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each on the two brothers.
The court acquitted two other accused in the case
Kokate could possibly attract disqualification as an MLA if he does not get any relief from the high court.
Talking to reporters, the minister said the case was filed by Dighole with whom he had political enmity.
"I have decided to file an appeal against the verdict. We will do everything in accordance with the law....we will go to the High Court. I have been granted bail by the sessions court," he said.
As per the prosecution, Kokate and his brother were allotted two flats meant for the Low Income Group (LIG) on College Road in Yeolakar Mala area here under the Chief Minister's 10 per cent discretionary quota. To be eligible, they made false claims of belonging to the LIG category and not owning a house in the city, it was alleged.
After Dighole approached the police, a case of cheating, forgery and other offences under the Indian Penal Code was registered against the Kokate brothers and two others at Sarkarwada police station here.
The rival NCP (SP) demanded that Kokate should resign following the verdict.
He would be the second minister of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in the BJP-led state government to find himself in trouble. NCP leader and cabinet minister Dhananjay Munde is facing the heat after his close aide was arrested in an extortion case related to the brutal murder of a village sarpanch in Beed district in December 2024.
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Mangaluru airport issues advisory to passengers, heightens security measures
Mangaluru: In response to recent cross-border attacks by Pakistan and rising tensions along the international boundary, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has directed airports across India to enhance security protocols. As part of this nationwide alert, Mangaluru International Airport has intensified surveillance, and introduced secondary ladder point checks (LPSC).
Explaining about the new protocol, Jaideep Shenoy, Public Relations Officer at Mangaluru International Airport, said that the secondary ladder point security check involves a second round of frisking. Passengers will first undergo standard checks by the CISF at the security checkpoint. Before boarding the aircraft, either via a boarding bridge or a bus, they will be subjected to an additional frisking by airline staff at the gate. Shenoy emphasized that the LPSC is a standard security measure implemented at all airports.
He also urged travelers to stay updated by checking the airport’s official social media channels for accurate and timely information.
In light of circulating reports regarding restrictions on visitor entry, Shenoy clarified that the entry of visitors into the terminal has always been restricted. Visitors may accompany passengers up to the departure gates or receive them at the arrival gates, as per existing rules.
In an advisory issued on Friday, Mangaluru International Airport urged passengers to arrive well in advance of their scheduled departures to accommodate extended security checks, and to cooperate with airport and security personnel.
The airport authorities also urged people not to share any unverified information.
#MangaluruAirport is fully operational, with your safety and comfort as our top priority. Stay informed and plan ahead to ensure a smooth journey.
— Mangaluru Airport (@mlrairport) May 9, 2025
Here’s everything you need to know before you fly, from security guidelines to handy dos and don’ts.
Plan ahead, stay informed, and… pic.twitter.com/clJTKPrlRT
