.webp)
Vikas Gogawale, son of Maharashtra Rural Development Minister and Shiv Sena leader Bharat Gogawale, is absconding in connection with violence during the Mahad Municipal Council elections.
The controversy has intensified after Gogawale’s anticipatory bail pleas were rejected twice, first by the Mangao court and later by the Bombay High Court. Despite these judicial setbacks, no arrest has been made, fuelling allegations of political interference and preferential treatment. Critics have questioned whether a separate standard of justice is being applied because the accused is a minister’s son.
The Mahad Municipal Council elections were held on December 2. According to police complaints, supporters of Vikas Gogawale allegedly attacked Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) worker Sushant Jabre on polling day. The incident escalated into violent clashes between Shiv Sena and NCP workers, during which Jabre was assaulted and his vehicle vandalised. The violence overshadowed the electoral process and drew statewide attention.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has questioned the delay in Gogawale’s arrest, alleging a breakdown of law and order in the state. Raut accused the government of showing leniency because the accused is a minister’s son and criticised Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who holds the home portfolio, for failing to ensure prompt action despite court orders.
Jabre was formerly associated with the Shiv Sena and was considered close to Vikas Gogawale. However, shortly before the elections, he joined the NCP in the presence of senior leader Sunil Tatkare, intensifying rivalry between the Gogawale and Tatkare camps in the region.
Vikas Gogawale, a member of the Shiv Sena Yuva Sena core committee, is believed to wield significant influence in Mahad taluka’s local politics. Although 24 days have passed since the Mahad police registered the assault case, no arrest has been made. Allegations have also surfaced that Gogawale was seen in Nagpur during the state legislature’s winter session, even as he was officially listed as absconding.
Shirgaon village sarpanch Somnath Ozarde has questioned how Gogawale could remain untraceable despite allegedly moving with police protection. He also accused Mahad Deputy Superintendent of Police Shankar Kale of failing to act decisively, further deepening concerns over the seriousness and impartiality of the investigation.
The violence reportedly took place around 1 pm on December 2, when Gogawale and his associates allegedly assaulted Jabre and vandalised his vehicle during polling. Although cases of assault and vandalism were registered the same day, no arrest has been made so far, further intensifying the controversy.
