Nagpur: Gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, better known as “Daddy,” has walked free from Nagpur Central Jail on Wednesday after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the 2007 murder case of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar.
Recently, the apex court ordered the release of Gawli and other convicts in the case, directing that specific bail conditions would be decided by the trial court. Following the order, Nagpur Police escorted Gawli under heavy security to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. He is now expected to leave for Mumbai.
Gawli, once one of Mumbai’s most dreaded underworld figures, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 for orchestrating the killing of Jamsandekar. The conviction was seen as a landmark judgment, as it marked his first despite years of criminal allegations. Over time, he made a shift into politics by founding the Akhil Bharatiya Sena, which built its base in Dagdi Chawl, the stronghold where Gawli earned the moniker “Daddy.”
Prison records show that during his time in Nagpur Central Jail, Gawli maintained discipline and largely kept a low profile. He was granted around 14 to 15 paroles and furloughs, all of which he completed without incident, while also participating in assigned prison duties.
In 2018, Gawli surprised many by topping an exam on Gandhian philosophy, scoring 74 out of 80 marks. The test was conducted by Sahyog Trust, Sarvodaya Ashram, and Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal. Among 160 participants, his performance stood out, earning him recognition and Khadi clothes as a prize.
With his release on bail, Gawli’s controversial journey—from underworld don to politician, from prisoner to Gandhian philosophy topper—has once again captured public attention.
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