Manikrao Kokata is implicated in the housing scam case of 1995. | Photo credit: Emmanuel Yogini
Former minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Manikrao Kokate underwent a coronary angiogram, doctors at Lilavati Hospital confirmed on Friday, adding that patients were not admitted without medical necessity.
After a hearing in the Bombay High Court, Dr. Jalil Parkar and cardiologist Dr. Suresh Vijan said Mr Kokate had a heart rate of 115 and blood pressure of 220 when he first arrived at the hospital.
“He had acute coronary syndrome. After doing some tests, the report showed that he had four severe blockages, with one 100% blockage. We suggested that he undergo bypass surgery. However, he has not yet decided to undergo surgery,” said Dr. Jalil Parkar and Dr. Suresh Vijan. Bypass surgery reroutes blood flow around blocked arteries, while angiography is an X-ray test used to detect blockages or narrowing of the heart’s arteries.
Mr Kokate’s admission to hospital on Wednesday attracted attention as it coincided with a Nashik court upholding his conviction and sentencing him to two years in jail in a 1995 fraud and cheating case. He was subsequently stripped of all ministerial posts, including sports. However, on Friday (December 19, 2025), the Bombay High Court granted him bail and postponed the sentence.
Dr. Emphasizing that Lilavati Hospital is a reputed institution, Parkar said, “We do not admit patients unnecessarily and now it turns out that he has a heart problem and requires surgery.”
Dr. Vijan also noted that Mr. Kokate had two stents placed 15 years ago and that they worked well. However, he said that if a patient does not wish to undergo a bypass, angioplasty remains an option.
Bharatiya Janata Party President Girish Mahajan said, “The Sessions Court has given its decision, he has been removed from the Cabinet, which clearly shows that no one is protecting him now and he is not respecting the order of the court.”
Meanwhile, NCP state president (Sharad Pawar faction) Shashikant Shinde said, “If no action is taken, then it would be contempt of court. So the police went to the hospital, but instead of making an arrest, they did an investigation. The Bombay High Court would ask why no action was taken, so the government dealt with the issue this way.”
Published – 19 Dec 2025 20:55 IST
