Conditional8217; bail for Gawli

The gangster has been released on bail of Rs 5,000 on the condition that he will not cross the limits of the village Vadgaon Peer, except for work of the court.

On August 10, the Manchar police had raided Gawli8217;s bunglow in the village. The police were told that arms had been illegally transported from Mumbai to Vadgaon in five to six cars. As the police reached the site, a 100-strong mob pelted stones at the police, injuring three constables. Police resorted to lathi-charge and arrested Gawli, hisbrothers-in-law and father-in-law. Gawli and the others pleaded for bail in the Sessions Court at Pune. However, the applications were dismissed and therefore the applicants moved the Bombay High Court.

Pronouncing a detailed order citing reasons for granting Gawli bail, Justice Sahai observed that since Gawli is a 8220;a red herring in the eyes of the public at large8221;, the people have a legitimate right to know why the court has granted him bail. Additional Public Prosecutor R Y Mirza had strenuously opposed the bail application calling Gawli a 8220;dreaded gangster8221;. However, the judge said that the 8220;awesome reputation of a person simplicitor8221; cannot come in the way of granting of bail. After all, such a person is as much entitled to justice as are other members of public, the ruling states.

The judge also maintained that most of the offences registered against Gawli under the Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code are bailable. Therefore, he said, it is the mandatory duty of the court to grantbail.