The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the conviction of senior Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Manikrao Kokate in a 1995 cheating case, thereby protecting him from any consequential disqualification as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order while issuing notice on Kokate’s plea challenging a Bombay High Court decision that had suspended his sentence but declined to stay the conviction.

The Supreme court clarified that the stay on conviction would operate to the extent that it prevents any resultant disqualification, pending further consideration of the matter. The case will now be examined on merits in Kokate’s challenge to the High Court order.