Who Is Arun ‘Daddy’ Gawli? Mumbai’s Underworld Don-Turned-Politician Released After 17 Years in Jail
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After more than 17 years behind bars, former gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli has stepped out of Nagpur Central Jail . The 76-year-old was granted bail by the Supreme Court in connection with the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar, marking a significant development in a case that has spanned nearly two decades.
Supreme Court Grants Bail
The apex court granted bail to Gawli on August 28, highlighting his advanced age and lengthy imprisonment. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh noted that he had already served 17 years and three months in custody, with his appeal still pending. The case is scheduled for a final hearing in February next year, while his bail remains subject to conditions set by the trial court.
Release from Nagpur Central Jail
On Wednesday afternoon, around 12:30 pm, Gawli walked out of Nagpur Central Jail after completing all legal formalities. Outside the prison gates, his family members, legal team, and supporters welcomed him, marking an emotional homecoming after years of incarceration.
Who Is Arun Gawli ?
Arun Gawli rose to prominence in Mumbai’s underworld during the 1980s and 1990s. Operating from Dagdi Chawl in Byculla - an area that became synonymous with his influence - he earned the nickname “Daddy” among his loyalists. His name was linked to extortion and gang rivalries, making him one of the most feared figures in the city at the time.
Transition to Politics
Despite his criminal past, Gawli entered politics and founded the Akhil Bharatiya Sena . In 2004, he won the Chinchpokli assembly seat in Mumbai and served as an MLA until 2009. His political journey further cemented his reputation as a man who had transitioned from the streets to the corridors of power.
Conviction and Life Sentence
Gawli’s downfall came with his involvement in the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. Arrested in 2006, he was tried under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). In 2012, a Mumbai sessions court sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹17 lakh. This verdict was later upheld by the Bombay High Court in 2019, before he moved the Supreme Court for relief.
What Lies Ahead?
With his bail granted, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court’s final hearing in February. While Gawli has walked free for now, the outcome of the case will determine his future. His release also revives public interest in one of Mumbai’s most controversial figures - once a feared don, later a politician, and now a man seeking closure after years in prison.
Supreme Court Grants Bail
The apex court granted bail to Gawli on August 28, highlighting his advanced age and lengthy imprisonment. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh noted that he had already served 17 years and three months in custody, with his appeal still pending. The case is scheduled for a final hearing in February next year, while his bail remains subject to conditions set by the trial court.
Release from Nagpur Central Jail
On Wednesday afternoon, around 12:30 pm, Gawli walked out of Nagpur Central Jail after completing all legal formalities. Outside the prison gates, his family members, legal team, and supporters welcomed him, marking an emotional homecoming after years of incarceration.
Who Is Arun Gawli ?
Arun Gawli rose to prominence in Mumbai’s underworld during the 1980s and 1990s. Operating from Dagdi Chawl in Byculla - an area that became synonymous with his influence - he earned the nickname “Daddy” among his loyalists. His name was linked to extortion and gang rivalries, making him one of the most feared figures in the city at the time.
Transition to Politics
Despite his criminal past, Gawli entered politics and founded the Akhil Bharatiya Sena . In 2004, he won the Chinchpokli assembly seat in Mumbai and served as an MLA until 2009. His political journey further cemented his reputation as a man who had transitioned from the streets to the corridors of power.
Conviction and Life Sentence
Gawli’s downfall came with his involvement in the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. Arrested in 2006, he was tried under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). In 2012, a Mumbai sessions court sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹17 lakh. This verdict was later upheld by the Bombay High Court in 2019, before he moved the Supreme Court for relief.
What Lies Ahead?
With his bail granted, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court’s final hearing in February. While Gawli has walked free for now, the outcome of the case will determine his future. His release also revives public interest in one of Mumbai’s most controversial figures - once a feared don, later a politician, and now a man seeking closure after years in prison.
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