Day After Bombay High Court Raps Maharashtra Govt, Minister's Son Surrenders In Mahad Rioting Case

A day after Bombay High Court came down heavily on the Maharashtra Government for its failure to arrest Cabinet Minister Bharat Gogawale's son Vikas, booked in a rioting case during civic polls in Mahad, Raigad, today the court was informed that Vikas and other accused in the case have surrendered before the local police.

Justice Madhav Jamdar had yesterday made scathing remarks against the Government's failure to arrest Vikas even after more than a month and questioned the "rule of law" in Maharashtra. The judge had even sought to know if the Chief Minister was "helpless" in dealing with the case.

For context, Vikas along with his cousin Mahesh Gogawale was booked in a rioting and assault case after there was a clash between the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde Faction) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Ajit Pawar Faction) on December 2, 2025 on the polling day of the Mahad Municipal Council. There were cross FIRs by both the sides and the anticipatory bail applications filed by Gogawale were rejected by the lower court.

Before Justice Jamdar, was the anticipatory bail of Shreyansh Jagtap, son of NCP leader Manikrao Jagtap. During the hearing held on January 16, the bench noted that the police did little to trace Gogawale brothers, despite their anticipatory bail applications being rejected on December 23, 2025.

Yesterday, when the matter was called out for hearing, Justice Jamdar, sought to know from Advocate General Milind Sathe, as to by when would the police be able to arrest Vikas. However, the AG informed the judge that he was 'untraceable' and that steps were being taken to track him and if need be, non-bailable warrants (NBW) and even proclamation would be issued, if he continues to be on the run.

However, the judge sought to know if the police recorded the statement of Vikas' father Bharat, and questioned how he could continue to be a Cabinet Minister in the State, when his son was accused in a crime and was absconding.

The Advocate General had however urged the court to adjourn the matter stating that efforts are being made to 'connect' with Vikas. Considering this, Justice Jamdar had agreed to take up the matter today.