NOVEMBER 28: Additional Sessions judge S R Mehra today directed the city police and the superintendent of the Amravati jail to produce notorious gangster Arun Gawli before the court with adequate security on Monday.The authorities earlier failed to produce the ganglord in the City Civil and Sessions Court on at least four occasions despite a summons issued to that effect. The police and jail authorities have maintained that a proper escort party was not available to bring Gawli to the city and there were chances of an untoward incident taking place on Gawli's way to Mumbai.Judge Mehra is considering the criminal discharge application filed by Gawli in the Natwar Desai murder case. Gawli is the prime accused in the case and the police had arrested him on suspicion of ordering Desai's killing. Desai, a famous city builder was brutally shot dead outside his Nariman Point office in broad daylight. Gawli's presence is essential for the case proceedings. Earlier, the judge was compelled to adjourn the hearing in his absence. In fact, advocates for Gawli, Ashok Patil and former minister Ramrao Adik and public prosecutor Vaiude, have completed the arguments over the application. Gawli's contention was that he was not involved in the murder even in the remotest way, while the police claimed that they had gathered evidence enough to nail Gawli for the gory crime. Judge Mehra, after listening to both the sides, is supposed to deliver the order, but can not do so if Gawli is not present in the courtroom.On November 5, 1997, before the matter came up for hearing, a notice was pasted outside Mehra's courtroom directing the police and the jail superintendent to produce Gawli before him. The Sessions Court registrar was also directed to arrange for adequate security at the courtroom and the court premises.However, the police borrowed time and asked for a next date to bring Gawli to city.At present, Gawli is at the Amravati jail, detained under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Persons, Slumlords, Bootleggers and Drug Offenders (MPDA) Act recently. The court adjourned that matter thrice as the police continued claiming lack of adequate escort party which could safely bring Gawli to Mumbai.This afternoon, the judge refused to lend any more time to the police and directed to produce the accused before him in any case. The gangster will now be in the city by Sunday and will be produced in the court on Monday at 11 am.
