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The 76-year-old was granted bail by the SC in connection with the 2007 murder of Mumbai Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar
Arun Gawli walks out of Nagpur jail after 17 years.
After spending over 17 years behind bars, gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli walked out of Nagpur Central Jail on Wednesday. The 76-year-old was granted bail by the Supreme Court in connection with the 2007 murder of Mumbai Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar.
Gawli, who was serving a life sentence, was released around 12.30 pm after completing all prison formalities. He was welcomed by his family, legal team, and supporters outside the jail.
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The top court had noted that Gawli had already spent more than 17 years in prison and that his appeal was still pending. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh observed, “Admittedly, the appellant has been under incarceration for 17 years and three months. We also take note of the fact that he is 76 years old.”
The bail was granted on August 28, subject to conditions set by the trial court. The apex court has listed the case for final hearing in February next year.
Who Is Arun Gawli?
Arun Gawli is a former underworld don from Mumbai who later entered politics. He rose to power from Dagdi Chawl, a tightly packed neighbourhood in Byculla, which became both his stronghold and a symbol of his influence.
Known by the nickname “Daddy” among his followers, Gawli built a feared reputation in Mumbai’s underworld during the 1980s and 1990s. He was involved in gang rivalries and came under the radar of law enforcement for his alleged role in extortion and organised crime.
Despite his criminal background, Gawli founded his own political outfit, the Akhil Bharatiya Sena, and contested elections. He won the Chinchpokli assembly seat in Mumbai and served as an MLA from 2004 to 2009.
Conviction
Gawli was arrested in 2006 for the murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. The case was investigated under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), a stringent law used to tackle organised crime.
In August 2012, a Mumbai sessions court sentenced him to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 17 lakh. The Bombay High Court upheld this verdict in 2019, following which Gawli approached the Supreme Court.
(With inputs from PTI)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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