New Delhi, Dec 22: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the conviction of senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate in the 1995 Nashik housing fraud case.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Maharashtra government on Kokate’s plea challenging the refusal of the Bombay High Court to stay his conviction. Though it protected his membership in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the apex court clarified that Kokate will not be allowed to exercise any governmental powers while the proceedings are pending.

“Issue notice. Meanwhile, the conviction of the petitioner shall remain stayed to the extent that there shall be no disqualification as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. However, no power shall be exercised by the petitioner,” the CJI Kant-led Bench ordered.

The relief from the top court comes days after the Bombay High Court had refused to stay Kokate’s conviction but suspended his two-year jail sentence and granted him protection from arrest as it heard his revision plea against the sessions court verdict.

Earlier, a Nashik sessions court had convicted Kokate in a case involving the illegal acquisition of government flats reserved under the Chief Minister’s quota and sentenced him to two years’ rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50,000.

Following the sessions court verdict, Kokate was stripped of the Sports and Minority Affairs portfolios, and he resigned from the Maharashtra Cabinet. His resignation was accepted by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar amid a chorus from the Opposition.

The case against Kokate and his brother Vijay Kokate dates back to 1995 and pertains to the alleged misappropriation of flats meant for low-income individuals who do not own any other property.

The prosecution alleged that the brothers submitted forged affidavits and documents to acquire flats in the Nirman View Apartment at Canada Corner in Nashik. Investigations had also revealed that the brothers were using two additional flats in the same building that had been allotted to other beneficiaries.

Based on an inquiry by the district administration, Vishwanath Patil, then an official of the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) department, lodged a complaint, following which a fraud case was registered at the Sarkarwada Police Station.

Since his induction into the Cabinet, Kokate has frequently courted controversy. He was earlier divested of the Agriculture portfolio following allegations that he was playing games on his mobile phone during a Legislative Council session.

Kokate denied the charge, but the episode drew widespread criticism. He also drew criticism for remarks on farmers and for attacking coalition partner BJP during a municipal campaign.

Mumbai, Dec 22: Reacting to the Maharashtra local body election results, BJP MLA Ram Kadam on Monday said that the Mahayuti alliance entered the electoral battle with confidence and a winning mindset, which ultimately translated into a resounding victory.

Speaking to media, Ram Kadam credited the success of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies to the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the development work carried out across the state over the past few years.

He said the performance of the government in power laid a strong foundation for success, first in the Assembly elections and now in the local body polls.

“Under the leadership of Chief Minister Fadnavis, the work done in Maharashtra over the past few years led to tremendous success in the Assembly elections. Because of these efforts and achievements, we delivered remarkable results in the Assembly, and from the very first day, we carried the spirit of victory on our foreheads,” Kadam said.

Highlighting the government’s development agenda, the BJP MLA said that infrastructure projects and welfare schemes had benefitted people across sections, particularly farmers.

“Roads are being built, and farmers are receiving benefits on a large scale. On the other hand, the Opposition entered the election with a losing mindset from Day One,” he told Media.

Kadam further accused the Opposition of repeatedly raising excuses instead of focusing on campaigning.

“They spoke about postponing elections, alleged vote theft, raised issues related to EVMs and voter rolls, and made several other excuses. These issues were raised only after they lost. During the campaign period, the Opposition hardly came out on the roads. There were no rallies or grassroots outreach,” he said.

Contrasting this with the Mahayuti’s approach, Kadam said the BJP leadership and alliance partners actively connected with voters.

“Our Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers were constantly on the ground, campaigning and holding major rallies. With courage, determination, and the hard work of our karyakartas, we stepped into the electoral arena with confidence. That is why we won, and the Opposition faced defeat,” he added.

Another BJP leader, Sanjay Sarawagi, said, “The party’s popularity is increasing nationwide. In the Maharashtra municipal elections, the BJP and NDA secured a massive victory, while the Opposition was nearly wiped out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focused on inclusive development, and that is why the mandate in favour of the BJP keeps growing. I congratulate the leadership and party workers.”

The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the NCP, recorded a sweeping victory in elections to 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, winning 207 posts of municipal presidents and leaving the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with just 44.

Final results released by the State Election Commission late Sunday night showed the BJP emerging as the single-largest party with 117 municipal president posts, followed by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena with 53 and the NCP with 37.

Among Opposition parties, the Congress won 28 posts, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction secured seven, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena(UBT) managed only nine, underscoring the continued dominance of the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.

Palakkad, Dec 22: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday assured justice to the family of Ram Narayan, the migrant worker who was beaten to death by a mob at Attappallam in Walayar and said strict action would be taken against all those responsible for the crime that has shaken Kerala.

In a statement on Monday, the Chief Minister said a special investigation team led by the Palakkad Superintendent of Police is probing the case and has been directed to examine all aspects of the incident and initiate appropriate legal action.

The government will also consider the matter and ensure suitable compensation for the bereaved family.

Calling the incident unacceptable, CM Vijayan said such acts tarnish the image of Kerala as a progressive society and stressed the need for vigilance to prevent a recurrence.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came as disturbing details emerged from the remand report, which revealed the extreme cruelty inflicted on Ram Narayan, a native of Chhattisgarh who had come to Kerala in search of work.

According to the report, the accused assaulted him with a clear and conscious intent to kill, subjecting him to hours of sustained violence.

Medical findings recorded ahead of the post-mortem showed more than 40 injuries across the body.

Severe head injuries, profuse bleeding and multiple grievous wounds were cited as the cause of death.

Investigators said heavy sticks were used to beat the victim, while marks on the body indicate he was thrown to the ground, kicked repeatedly and dragged. X-ray examinations confirmed that he was stomped on his face and back, pointing to prolonged torture rather than a single attack.

The remand report also notes that those who attempted to intervene were threatened and driven away.

Meanwhile, Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh, who hails from Palakkad, alleged that the attack stemmed from hate-driven politics, claiming the victim was targeted after being branded a “Bangladeshi”.

He said the government stood firmly with the victim’s family and would ensure maximum punishment for the culprits.

Five accused have so far been arrested, all of whom have criminal antecedents.

Police said efforts are underway to trace more suspects as the investigation continues.