India, Jan. 23 -- In a sharp rebuke, the Bombay High Court on Thursday asked whether the rule of law exists in Maharashtra and if the Chief Minister was so helpless that he cannot say anything against a minister whose son has been absconding after being named in a criminal case. Ministers' children "commit crimes and roam freely," but police cannot find them, Justice Madhav Jamdar said in a scathing observation.

The court was hearing a pre-arrest bail application of Vikas Gogawale, son of Shiv Sena Minister Bharat Gogawale. Vikas has been named as an accused in a case related to a violent clash between rival groups during the Mahad Municipal Council elections. Following the court's reprimand, the Government assured that the minister woul...