The Bombay High Court on Thursday came down heavily on the Maharashtra government for its inaction in arresting the son of a state cabinet minister, despite weeks of evasion following rejection of his anticipatory bail plea.
Justice Madhav Jamdar expressed serious concern over the police’s failure to trace Shreeyansh Jagtap, son of former MLA and NCP leader Manik Jagtap, and questioned whether the Chief Minister was too “helpless” to act against a fellow minister whose family member is facing criminal charges.
The matter stems from a violent clash during the Mahad Municipal Council elections held on December 2 in Raigad district. The incident involved workers from rival factions of the ruling coalition: the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the NCP faction headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Cross FIRs were registered against members of both groups.
Vikas Gogawale, son of Shiv Sena minister Bharat Gogawale, and his cousin Mahesh Gogawale were named as key accused in the violence and were denied pre-arrest bail by the sessions court.
Shreeyansh Jagtap, also named in the case, was granted interim protection from arrest by the court in December. However, he has remained untraceable since his anticipatory bail plea was rejected.
The High Court was hearing applications filed by Vikas and Mahesh Gogawale opposing the grant of anticipatory bail to Jagtap. During the hearing, Justice Jamdar minced no words in criticising the state’s laxity.
“Is the Chief Minister so helpless that he does not say anything against even one minister? Ministers’ children commit crimes and roam freely… they stay in touch with their parents, but the police cannot find them?” the Court observed.
Questioning the integrity of the investigation and the apparent inaction by law enforcement, Justice Jamdar added, “There might be pressure on you [police], but not on the court,” and asked, “Does the rule of law exist in the state?”
Following the court’s rebuke, Advocate General Milind Sathe assured the bench that Minister Bharat Gogawale would contact his son and ensure his surrender within 24 hours.
“He [Gogawale] will connect with his son and ensure that he surrenders tomorrow,” Sathe submitted.
The court accepted the undertaking and posted the matter for further hearing on Friday, directing Vikas Gogawale to surrender before the hearing.
