NEW DELHI: In a major relief to Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed his conviction in a cheating and forgery case.

“Issue notice to the Maharashtra government. Meanwhile, the conviction of the petitioner (Manikrao Kokate) shall remain stayed to the extent that there shall be no result of disqualification as a member of the state legislative assembly. However, that will not entitle the petitioner to hold an office of profit. He shall not hold any office of profit,” said a two-judge vacation bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.

Senior advocate and former Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Kokate, argued that this was a case deserving relief as Kokate was a five-time MLA, a current minister, had no criminal antecedents, and had been awarded a two-year sentence.

“I am not a holder of any post in 1989. I started as a lawyer. A lawyer in 1989 cannot have Rs 30,000. Please consider all this, my lords,” Rohatgi submitted.