Nagpur, September 3, 2025

Veteran gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli walked out of Nagpur Central Jail on Wednesday afternoon after spending over 17 years in prison. His release came after the Supreme Court granted him bail in connection with the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar.

A bench of Justices M. M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh observed that Gawli, now 76 years old, had already undergone more than 17 years of incarceration while his appeal remained pending. Taking into account his advanced age and the delay in the judicial process, the apex court allowed his release on bail, subject to conditions imposed by the trial court.

Gawli, popularly known as “Daddy” in Mumbai’s underworld circles, was convicted in 2012 under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and sentenced to life imprisonment. The Bombay High Court later upheld the conviction in 2019. Despite previous denials of bail, the prolonged incarceration became a decisive factor in the Supreme Court’s ruling this time.

His release from Nagpur Central Jail was marked by the presence of family members, close associates, and supporters, who had gathered outside the prison since morning. Security was kept tight during the process.

Arun Gawli rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s as a key figure in Mumbai’s underworld, building his base at Dagdi Chawl in Byculla. Transitioning into politics, he founded the Akhil Bharatiya Sena and served as an MLA from Chinchpokli between 2004 and 2009. Even during his time in prison, Gawli remained in the public eye—most notably when he excelled in a Gandhian philosophy examination in 2018.

While his release is being seen as a significant development, the legal battle is far from over. The Supreme Court has scheduled the final hearing of his appeal for February 2026. Until then, Gawli’s future—both politically and personally—remains uncertain.

Mumbai: The agonising tension between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil dates back to September 1, 2023, when the police resorted to a lathi charge on protestors gathered at Antarwali Sarati (Jalna). The flashpoint came during the Lok Sabha and the state assembly elections last year.

Jarange was acerbic and bitter against the perceived casteist bias harboured by the CM. With Eknath Shinde at the helm between June 2022 and December 5, 2024, the Maratha quota leader was more pliable. This was witnessed when the Shinde-led government succeeded in convincing the protestors to return from Navi Mumbai in January last year.

The past four days were unprecedented. The Maratha agitation had reached the heart of Mumbai, and Fadnavis was at the receiving end for alleged mismanagement by allowing the protestors at Azad Maidan. Everything seemed out of control, until Sunday, that is, when Fadnavis took charge. When the protestors reached Mumbai, Maratha sub-committee head Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil was in Shirdi.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde was mostly in Thane, speaking only on a couple of occasions, raising suspicions about his posturing. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar was in Pune, telling the media that he would go to Mumbai if required. It was Union Home Minister Amit Shah who, after visiting Lalbaugcha Raja, held a closed-door meeting with both Fadnavis and Shinde.

The next day, on Monday, a petition came before the Bombay High Court, and the government put up its views opposing the agitation. Fadnavis chaired a few meetings of the ministers’ committee where neither Shinde nor Pawar was present. No cabinet meeting was held to discuss the assurances to be given to Jarange Patil and the government resolutions (GRs) that were to be issued. The drafting of the GRs was also a careful process undertaken on Monday.

That their effectiveness only time will reveal is another matter, though. On Monday, when the CM was asked during his visit to Pune as to why no efforts were made to approach the activist, he said no one approached them for talks. On Tuesday, the state government swiftly deputed a group of ministers led by Vikhe Patil to meet Jarange Patil. Although the High Court was critical of the activist and the behaviour of the agitators, the state changed its stand. This could have been the result of a political fallout over ignoring Jarange Patil, who has a huge mass base, probably bigger than any political leader, a bureaucrat quipped.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking resumed bus operations from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Tuesday, four days after services were suspended due to the ongoing Maratha quota agitation.

The resumption of services brought much-needed relief to office-goers who had been forced to walk to workplaces in areas like Nariman Point, Backbay, and Colaba, as protesters had blocked major junctions around CSMT over the past few days.

Bus services from CSMT and several parts of South Mumbai were disrupted after the agitation, led by activist Manoj Jarange, drew thousands of Maratha protesters to the city.

“BEST has resumed bus services from the Bhatia Baug outside CSMT. Routes 138 and 115 are now operational,” said an official, adding that operations in the area are still partially impacted.

With DN Road, Mahapalika Marg, and Hazarimal Somani Marg closed by police, buses are being diverted via Mahatma Phule Market, LT Marg, and Metro Junction towards Hutatma Chowk.

However, several bus routes remain diverted, suspended, or curtailed due to the protest at Azad Maidan.

Sources said traffic police have opened both lanes of DN Road between JJ Flyover and Hutatma Chowk, although a section of the square outside CSMT remains blocked by protesters and their vehicles.