National News
Housing fraud case: Ajit Pawar accepts NCP minister Manikrao Kokate’s resignation, forwards it to CM
Mumbai, Dec 18: Amid a chorus from the opposition, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Thursday accepted the resignation of party minister Manikrao Kokate, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in a housing fraud case.
Kokate had submitted his resignation to DCM Pawar on Wednesday after a sessions court sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment in the Nashik housing fraud case.
On Wednesday night, Kokate was stripped of his Sports and Minority Affairs portfolios and was retained as a minister without any portfolio.
Kokate is currently undergoing medical examination at Lilavati Hospital after he complained of uneasiness. He has already approached the Bombay High Court seeking relief from the sessions court ruling.
In a post on X, Ajit Pawar said: “Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and my party colleague Shri Manikrao Kokate has submitted his resignation to me following the outcome of the Hon’ble Court’s verdict. In keeping with our party’s long-standing philosophy that the rule of law is supreme and above all individuals, the resignation has been accepted in principle. I have forwarded Shri Kokate’s resignation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister for due consideration and acceptance, in accordance with constitutional procedure.”
He further stated: “Our party has always believed that public life must be guided by constitutional morality, institutional integrity and respect for the judiciary. We stand firmly by the rule of law and will continue to act in a manner that upholds democratic values and public trust.”
Pawar took the decision after holding a meeting lasting over two-and-a-half hours early Thursday morning with party working president Praful Patel and state chief Sunil Tatkare.
Manikrao Kokate is a five-time MLA from the Sinnar constituency in Nashik district and has a history of shifting political loyalties. His membership of the legislature could also be at risk if the High Court upholds the sessions court ruling.
The sessions court upheld his conviction in a case involving the illegal acquisition of government flats through forged documents and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment. Following the verdict, an arrest warrant was issued against Kokate.
He faces imminent arrest unless the High Court grants a stay on the conviction.
Amid these legal developments, Kokate’s health condition deteriorated and he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. He skipped the weekly cabinet meeting held on Wednesday at Mantralaya.
Kokate’s legal team informed the court that he was admitted to a hospital and sought a four-day stay on the arrest. However, the court rejected the plea, noting that no medical certificate was presented and that Kokate should have been present when the verdict was delivered.
Kokate has moved the Mumbai High Court challenging the sessions court ruling and has sought an urgent hearing and a stay on the sentence.
The High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on Friday.
The case dates back to 1995 and involves the alleged misappropriation of flats reserved under the Chief Minister’s quota. These flats are meant for low-income individuals who do not own property elsewhere.
Manikrao Kokate and his brother Vijay Kokate were accused of submitting fraudulent affidavits and documents to acquire two flats in the Nirman View Apartment in Nashik.
Investigations later revealed that the brothers were also using two additional flats in the same building that had been allotted to other beneficiaries.
Based on an inquiry conducted by the district administration, Vishwanath Patil, then an official of the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) department, filed a complaint. Subsequently, a fraud case was registered at Sarkarwada Police Station against four individuals, including the Kokate brothers.
The court sentenced them to two years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each.
Since his induction into the cabinet, Kokate has been embroiled in several controversies.
He was stripped of the Agriculture portfolio after the monsoon session of the state legislature in July, following allegations by NCP-SP legislator Rohit Pawar that Kokate was playing games on his mobile phone during a Legislative Council session. While Kokate denied the allegation, it drew widespread criticism.
He also triggered outrage with controversial remarks on farmers, stating: “Even a beggar does not accept one rupee, but here we provide crop insurance for just one rupee, yet some people try to take undue advantage of it.”
During a municipal election campaign, Kokate had also taken a swipe at coalition partner BJP, calling it a “corrupt party” (batlela paksha) that survives by breaking other parties while sidelining its own workers.
Earlier this year, another NCP minister, Dhananjay Munde, had resigned after his aide Walmik Karad was linked to the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district.
Crime
Delhi Police solve cab carjacking case within 24 hours, three arrested

New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi Police’s South District has solved a cab carjacking and robbery case within 24 hours of the incident, arresting three accused and recovering the robbed taxi, valuablesm and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.
According to police, the breakthrough was achieved by the staff of Police Station Fatehpur Beri after an intensive technical and field investigation launched on the complaint of a cab driver.
The operation was carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Nasib Singh, Vikas Yadav, and Ravi Raghav, Head Constables Chandram, Mukesh Kumar, and Pradeep Kumar under the leadership of SHO Inspector Rajesh Sharma and the overall supervision of the ACP, Mehrauli.
Police registered FIR No. 287/2026 under Sections 309(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the case was registered, investigators analysed CCTV footage, ride-booking details and other technical inputs while simultaneously conducting multiple raids at different locations.
During the investigation, sustained technical surveillance led to the identification of one of the accused, following which continuous field operations resulted in the arrest of all three accused within 24 hours. The police also recovered the robbed taxi, the complainant’s mobile phone, wallet, identity documents and the knife allegedly used during the offence.
According to the investigation, the accused targeted cab drivers during late-night hours by booking rides through a mobile application. After reaching an isolated location, they allegedly threatened the driver at knifepoint, assaulted him, and robbed the vehicle along with his valuables before fleeing from the spot.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd. Kaif, 25, a resident of Ghitorni village in Delhi and originally from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Junaid Ali, 22, also a resident of Ghitorni village and originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, and Mohd Kaif, 20, a resident of Islam Colony, Mehrauli, originally from Bihar’s Begusarai. Police said none of the three accused has any previous criminal involvement.
The recovered items include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi, a knife, the complainant’s Vivo mobile phone, another mobile phone allegedly used to book the ride, a wallet containing cash, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, registration certificate, ATM cards and other important documents.
Crime
Kolkata man arrested for allegedly raping daughter’s friend in Tiljala

Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.
The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.
According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.
She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.
Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.
Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.
The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.
Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.
Crime
Ram Mandir, Badrinath Temple thefts: Seers urge for strict rules to maintain faith of devotees

Haridwar, July 8: Amid the controversy over alleged embezzlement of donations made at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple and Badrinath’s Shri Badrinath Temple, Parmarth Niketan President Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Jain monk Acharya Lokesh Muni on Wednesday urged for the implementation of strict rules so that such allegations are not repeated.
Speaking to media, Swami Chidanand Saraswati cautioned against the spread of rumours which “hurt people’s religious sentiments”.
“I would like to say that no one should spread such rumours. If there has been any mistake, there are proper channels to address it. People should go and discuss the matter through the appropriate means instead of coming directly to the media and misleading the public,” he said.
The Parmarth Niketan President added: “If rules are broken, they can be formed again but once faith is broken, it is very difficult to restore. It is a good step that the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi immediately constituted an inquiry committee. I have also come to know that the committee’s secretary Pramod Nautiya has been dismissed. This is a fast action taken by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government.”
Swami Chidanand Saraswati also urged for implementation of strict rules for temples, terming it “mandatory to sustain the faith of devotees”.
“SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) should be made and followed so that people are able to maintain their faith on temples,” he said.
Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh Muni said that where there are large institutions, such incidents can happen but “it cannot be allowed to continue”.
“Our country has laws, the Constitution, and a proper system of governance. Wherever such an incident occurs at any place of faith, it should not be tolerated. Proper arrangements must be made to prevent such incidents, and if one has occurred, the stolen property or money should also be recovered and strict action should be taken against those guilty,” he told media.
The Jain spiritual leader also said: “Measures should be taken that such incidents are never repeated. Lord Ram is the soul of this country, so if thefts take place at the Ram Temple, it hurts the sentiments of devotees.”
Lokesh Muni expressed confidence that the stolen donations from Ram Temple will be recovered, guilty will be punished and that the government along with the Temple Trust will take measures to prevent repetition of such acts.
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