Mumbai, Dec. 19 -- The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to Nationalist Congress Party leader Manikrao Kokate in connection with a 1995 cheating case, directing him to furnish a bond of Rs 1 lakh.

Earlier on Thursday, Manikrao Kokate resigned from the post of Sports and Minority Development and Waqf Minister of Maharashtra after conviction in a 1995 cheating case.

Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat has allotted the portfolios to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

In an X post, Ajit Pawar announced Kokate's resignation and re-allotment of ministries, citing "constitutional morality and institutional integrity".

Pawar wrote, "Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and my party colleague Manikrao Kokate has submitted his resignation to me ...