Arun Gawli walks out of jail after nearly 2 decades, days after SC grants bail

“Taking into consideration that the appellants have been incarcerated for a period of almost 18 years, we are inclined to grant bail to them. Accordingly, the appellants are directed to be released on bail, during the pendency of the appeals, on such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the trial court,” the Supreme Court had said on August 28, while granting bail to Gawli and his co-accused.

“However, liberty is granted to the respondents to file an appropriate application for cancellation of bail, if the appellants are found to be violating either the conditions imposed by the trial court or are found to be involved in any other offence,” the court said.

In April 2024, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court had permitted Gawli for premature release, in view of a government notification dating back to 2006. The state government had argued that an updated notification from 2015 exempted those held guilty under MCOCA for premature release, but his lawyers had argued that he was convicted in 2012, hence the 2006 notification would apply to him, which the court agreed to.

Gawli, who is in his 70s, allegedly operated his gang out of his residence in Dagdi Chawl in Byculla. He was also elected an MLA in 2004 from Mumbai’s Chinchpokli constituency as a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena, a party he founded.

In May this year, Gawli, his brother and five others were acquitted by a special court in a 2005 extortion case.

From the homepage

Kukis agree to free movement in big breakthrough for Centre, ahead of PM Manipur visit

GST rate changes: Why was this done, who is impacted how, explained in 5 points

Woman waiting at Bihar railway station abducted at gunpoint, gangraped