The Bombay High Court has strongly criticized the Maharashtra government regarding the apparent failure to arrest Vikas Gogawale, son of Shiv Sena minister Bharat Gogawale, who is implicated in a case of election violence. The court's remarks have raised questions about the government's ability or willingness to enforce the law, with a pointed query of "Is CM so helpless?" highlighting the severity of the court's concern.
The case in question involves a violent clash between rival political groups during the Mahad Municipal Council elections in Raigad district. The incident, which occurred on December 2nd during active prohibitory orders, involved supporters of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). Cross-FIRs were registered by both sides following the clash. One FIR names Vikas Gogawale, along with his cousin Mahesh Gogawale, accusing them of threatening and assaulting members of Shreeyansh Jagtap's group. The Gogawale camp, however, alleges that they were attacked by NCP workers, with one person allegedly firing a pistol at them.
The High Court was hearing a pre-arrest bail application filed by Vikas Gogawale. During the proceedings, the court expressed its displeasure with the state's apparent inaction in apprehending the minister's son. This criticism comes against the backdrop of the Maharashtra government assuring the court that no coercive steps would be taken against Shreeyansh Jagtap, the son of former MLA Manik Jagtap, until the next hearing date. The court had granted interim protection from arrest to Shreeyansh Jagtap.
This is not the first instance of a Shiv Sena leader's son facing legal scrutiny. In November 2024, the Bombay High Court reserved its order on a petition filed by Mihir Shah, son of Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, who was contesting his arrest following a fatal hit-and-run incident. Additionally, in 2020, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Vihang Sarnaik, the son of Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, in connection with a money laundering case. These incidents, coupled with the current situation involving Vikas Gogawale, may contribute to a perception of impunity among some political figures and their families.
The Bombay High Court's strong rebuke underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all citizens are treated equally under the legal system. The court's direct question regarding the Chief Minister's helplessness suggests a deep concern about potential political interference in law enforcement and the need for transparency and accountability in the administration of justice. The case remains ongoing, and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses and the court continues to hear arguments related to the pre-arrest bail application.
