Day after Bombay HC rap, Shiv Sena MLA’s son Vikas Gogawale surrenders in Mahad poll violence case

MUMBAI: The State on Friday informed Bombay high court that Vikas Gogawale, the son of Shiv Sena MLA and cabinet minister Bharat Gogawale, has surrendered.

Both are accused in the Dec 2 violence that broke out between NCP and Shiv Sena supporters during Mahad Municipal Council elections. Advocate general Milind Sathe told Justice Madhav Jamdar that all accused have surrendered.’’ He submitted a communication from Mahad City Police Station. It stated that eight accused, including Vivek and his cousin Mahesh, surrendered at 9.15 am and were taken into custody.




On Dec 23, Vivek’s anticipatory bail plea was rejected by HC. The High Court was hearing the anticipatory bail application (ABA) of Shreeyash Jagtap, the son of former NCP MLA Manik Jagtap. Cross FIRs were filed by both sides in respect of the Dec 2 incident. One FIR had named Vikas, Mahesh and their supporters. The other FIR named Jagtap and his supporters. On Dec 29, HC granted Jagtap interim protection from arrest. Pursuant to Jan 17, the State filed an affidavit stating that in spite of best efforts by the police, Vikas could not be arrested.

On Thursday, Justice Jamdar rapped the State for not arresting Vivek. He made several scathing observations including that the “rule of law in the state of Maharashtra is adversely affected. The judge then asked Sathe to take instructions "from the minister" and "the chief minister also" and informed the court at 5 pm.

Later Sathe said he took instructions from Gogawale and informed that “he will connect with his son’’ and asked to keep the matter on Friday. He clarified that Vivek would surrender. Justice Jamdar kept the matter at 11 am on Friday, adding, “before that ask him to surrender also.”

Justice Jamdar referred to Jan 16 order that had recorded that as the offence is very serious and therefore “the applicant (Jagtap) is not entitled to anticipatory bail.” However as certain submissions were regarding the conduct of the police officials, further detailed orders were passed on Jan 16 and 17. As the court was not inclined to grant ABA, Jagtap’s advocate sought withdrawal of his application. Justice Jamdar allowed it to be withdrawn and dismissed it. An interim application was filed by Mahesh Gogawale opposing ABA for Jagtap. “In view of the dismissal, nothing survives in the interim application and that is also disposed of,’’ Justice Jamdar said. He told Sathe “arrest them (Jagtap and co-accused) too.”