Manikrao Kokate (File photo)
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday granted partial relief to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA and former minister Manikrao Kokate, staying his conviction in a cheating and fraud case though only to the extent that it will not lead to his disqualification from the Maharashtra legislative assembly.Also Read: Ex-mininster Manikrao Kokate helps NCP win in Sinnar and NandurbarThe relief was granted by a Supreme Court vacation bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The bench issued notice to the Maharashtra government on Kokate’s plea challenging his conviction and sentence awarded by a trial court in February.“Issue notice. Meanwhile, the conviction of the petitioner shall remain stayed only to the extent that it does not result in his disqualification as an MLA,” the bench said, as quoted by news agency ANI.Kokate approached the top court after the Bombay high court suspended his two-year jail sentence but refused to stay his conviction. He petitioned the high court after a Nashik sessions court upheld the trial court’s February judgment convicting him and his brother in a fraud case dating back to 1995.The trial court found Kokate and his brother, Vijay, guilty of misusing a government housing scheme meant for economically weaker sections. The scheme, which operated between 1989 and 1992, was applicable only to those earning up to Rs 30,000 a year. The brothers were accused of submitting false affidavits to understate their income and were illegally allotted two government flats.He was relieved of all his portfolios—sports and youth welfare, and minority development, and auqaf—in the Maharashtra government following the sessions court’s order. The portfolios were later assigned to Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar.