Mumbai, In a development that marks the end of one of the longest periods of incarceration for a political figure associated with Mumbai’s underworld legacy, Arun Gawli—once a feared gangster, later turned politician—was released from Nagpur Central Jail on Wednesday. The 76-year-old leader of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena stepped out a free man after having spent more than 17 years behind prison walls.
The release follows a recent order of the Supreme Court of India, which granted bail to Gawli in connection with the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. The bail was awarded after the apex court considered the significant period he had already served in custody while his legal appeal remained pending.
The Supreme Court’s Order and Grounds for Bail
The bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh, while reviewing the plea, noted that Gawli had undergone 17 years of imprisonment. The court emphasized that when appeals remain undecided for such an extended period, prolonged incarceration should not deny an individual the right to bail, provided conditions of law are satisfied.
The Supreme Court, therefore, granted him bail with certain terms and conditions, including compliance with restrictions and directives issued previously by the trial court.
It is important to recall that Gawli had challenged a December 9, 2019 ruling of the Bombay High Court, which had upheld the trial court’s conviction and life sentence in the Jamsandekar murder case. The appeal continues to remain before the Supreme Court, and his release on bail does not amount to an acquittal but serves as an interim relief until the matter is finally adjudicated.
A Long Journey from Dagdi Chawl to Jail Arun Gawli’s life story is deeply intertwined with the socio-political fabric of Mumbai. Rising from Dagdi Chawl in Byculla, once a modest neighbourhood that became a nerve center of underworld activity, Gawli’s ascent in the 1980s and 1990s made him a formidable figure. While many of his contemporaries fled the country or were eliminated in gang wars, Gawli stayed rooted in Mumbai, building both his influence and his political identity.
In 1997, he formally announced his entry into politics by launching the Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS), claiming to distance himself from violent ways and focusing on public service. His influence was such that he went on to contest and successfully win a seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2004, representing the Chinchpokli constituency. He served as an MLA until 2009.
Despite this political career, Gawli’s past continued to overshadow his new identity. Numerous criminal cases, including those under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), were pursued against him. The 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar eventually led to his conviction and life sentence, a judgment that kept him behind bars until now.
The Outside Nagpur Central Jail On Wednesday afternoon, around 12:30 pm, Arun Gawli walked out of Nagpur Central Jail after completing required formalities of the prison administration. Waiting for him outside were his family members, legal team, and loyal supporters from his party and old bastions of influence.
For many present, the moment was emotional. Supporters raised slogans and welcomed him with garlands, while family members expressed relief at his homecoming after over a decade and a half apart. His advocates reiterated that Gawli’s case is an example of how prolonged hearings can extend punishment well beyond what justice demands, especially when appeals remain pending for years.
Political and Social Reactions News of Gawli’s release has created ripples within political and social circles in Mumbai and Maharashtra. While some view his freedom as the rightful outcome of a flawed, drawn-out judicial process, others still associate him with the turbulent era of Mumbai’s underworld politics.
Supporters of Gawli’s Akhil Bharatiya Sena have expressed optimism that his return will strengthen the party’s prospects at the grassroots. However, mainstream political observers remain cautious about whether the 76-year-old would re-enter active politics or choose a more private role after years away from public life.
Law enforcement and policy experts meanwhile note that the decision highlights larger questions about the duration of trials and appeals in India’s judicial system, and whether long incarceration without final adjudication is fair to convicts.
What Lies Ahead
While Arun Gawli is now out on bail, the legal battle continues. His appeal against the life sentence is yet to be decided by the Supreme Court, and the outcome will ultimately determine whether he is acquitted, convicted, or subjected to further legal consequences.
For the moment, his release is being seen by many as both a personal reprieve for a 76-year-old man who has spent much of the past two decades behind bars, and as a symbolic return of one of Mumbai’s most talked-about figures.
Arun Gawli’s release after 17 years in prison is more than just a legal development; it is a reminder of Mumbai’s complex history where crime, politics, and public life often intersect. From Dagdi Chawl to the floor of the Maharashtra Assembly, and then to Nagpur Central Jail, Gawli has lived through multiple identities—each leaving a mark on the city’s consciousness.
As he begins a new chapter outside prison walls, questions will remain about his political future, his personal journey, and the enduring legacy of underworld figures who transitioned into the mainstream. For now, the Supreme Court’s bail order marks a turning point in a saga that has gripped Mumbai for nearly two decades.
Supreme Court Bail Order: The Supreme Court granted bail to Arun Gawli in the 2007 murder case of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar.
Reason for Bail: Gawli has already spent over 17 years in prison, and his appeal is still pending before the Supreme Court. The court said prolonged incarceration during an undecided appeal justified bail.
Age Factor: Gawli is now 76 years old, which the court considered while granting bail.
Previous Verdicts: Bombay High Court (2019) had upheld his life sentence under MCOCA. Gawli challenged this verdict in the Supreme Court.
Conditions of Bail: He was released under certain terms and conditions set by the trial court, including compliance with all future summons and restrictions.
Release from Prison: Gawli walked free from Nagpur Central Jail around 12:30 pm on Wednesday, greeted by family, lawyers, and supporters.
Political Background: Founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS), he served as an MLA from 2004 to 2009 representing the Chinchpokli constituency.
Rise from Dagdi Chawl: Once a feared gangster in Byculla’s Dagdi Chawl, Gawli transformed into a political figure, often referred to as “Daddy” by his supporters.
Supporters’ Reactions: His return was met with slogans, garlands, and emotional reunions. ABS loyalists hinted at a possible revival of his influence.
Future Uncertain: While he is out on bail, his appeal is still pending, meaning the final judicial outcome is yet to be decided. His role in politics going forward remains unclear.
Legal Significance: The case underscores the issue of delayed appeals in India’s judicial system and questions whether long imprisonment before appeal decisions amounts to undue punishment.
