The Supreme Court has granted bail to gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, convicted in the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. The court noted his 17-year incarceration and advanced age of 76.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday, August 28, granted bail to gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, who has been serving a life sentence in a murder case. The top court gave relief after taking note of his long imprisonment and his old age.
Arun Gawli, once a well-known figure from Dagdi Chawl in Mumbai and the founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena, was convicted in connection with the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. He has been in custody since his arrest in 2006, spending over 17 years behind bars.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh observed the long period of imprisonment while granting him bail.
The bench said,
“Admittedly, the appellant has been under incarceration for 17 years and three months. We also take note of the fact that he is 76 years old.”
The Supreme Court clarified that his bail will be subject to the terms and conditions already imposed by the trial court. At the same time, it posted the matter for final hearing in February 2026, which means that the legal proceedings will continue even while he is out on bail.
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The case dates back to 2006 when Gawli and several others were arrested for the murder of corporator Jamsandekar. In August 2012, a sessions court in Mumbai convicted him, sentencing him to life imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹17 lakh.
Later, on December 9, 2019, the Bombay High Court upheld the trial court’s verdict, confirming the life sentence. Dissatisfied with this judgment, Gawli approached the Supreme Court to challenge it.
Now, after more than 17 years in prison, the apex court has allowed his bail considering the prolonged incarceration and his advancing age.
Arun Gawli, who was once feared as a gangster in Mumbai, later entered politics and was elected as an MLA from Chinchpokli constituency between 2004 and 2009. His rise to power from the narrow lanes of Dagdi Chawl to the Maharashtra Assembly made him a controversial but significant public figure.
With this order, the Supreme Court has given temporary relief to the 76-year-old leader, while the final decision on his appeal against conviction will be heard in early 2026.
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