'Is CM so helpless': Bombay HC raps Maharashtra government; Sena minister's son evades arrest

NEW DELHI: The Bombay high court on Thursday came down sharply on the Maharashtra government, questioning whether the rule of law prevails in the state and asking if the chief minister was too "helpless" to act against a cabinet minister whose son has been evading arrest for weeks.The remarks were made by Justice Madhav Jamdar while hearing applications linked to a violent clash during the Mahad Municipal Council elections in Raigad district, news agency PTI reported. The case involves Vikas Gogawale, son of Shiv Sena minister Bharat Gogawale, and Shreeyansh Jagtap, son of former MLA Manik Jagtap and a leader of the NCP.Violence had erupted on December 2 during the civic polls between supporters of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, both allies in the BJP-led government. Cross FIRs were registered following the clash.Vikas Gogawale and his cousin Mahesh, key accused in the case, were denied pre-arrest bail, while Shreeyansh Jagtap was granted interim protection from arrest in December. Applications opposing Jagtap’s anticipatory bail were filed by Vikas and Mahesh Gogawale.Taking note of the police’s failure to arrest the minister’s son after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a sessions court, Justice Jamdar asked, "Is the state’s chief minister so helpless that he cannot say anything against even one minister? Ministers’ children commit crimes and roam freely ... they remain in touch with their parents, yet the police cannot find them?”The judge added that while there may be pressure on the police, “there is no pressure on the court,” and questioned whether law and order was being effectively enforced.Following the court’s rebuke, the government assured compliance. Advocate General Milind Sathe told the bench that the minister would ensure his son’s surrender within a day. The court accepted the assurance, directed Vikas Gogawale to surrender before the next hearing, and posted the matter for Friday.