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Mumbai: Served 14 years in prison, says Arun Gawli seeking premature release

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Incarcerated gangster-turned-politician Arun Gulab Gawli, 71, has approached the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court seeking his premature release. He made the case on the ground that he has crossed the age of 65 years and completed 14 years of life imprisonment, which entitles him to such a relief as per a January 10, 2006 government circular and a December 31, 1999 government direction. His application was heard last week by the division bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes. The bench asked the Maharashtra government to file a reply by March 15. The FPJ has accessed a copy of Gawli’s plea submitted to the court.

The plea of Gawli, who was convicted for his alleged role in the murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar, argued that a subsequent government notification of December 1, 2015, which exempts those convicted under the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act), like him, from availing the benefit of remission under the 2006 notification, is not applicable in his case as he was convicted in 2012.

On March 2, 2007, Jamsandekar was shot dead at his residence in suburban Ghatkopar. According to the police’s charge-sheet, Rs30 lakh was allegedly paid to the Gawli gang for eliminating the Sena corporator over a land deal. Gawli had denied the allegations.

Gawli was arrested on May 21, 2008, while the charges against him were framed by the trial court in October 2008. On August 31, 2012, Gawli and others were convicted, inter alia, and awarded life imprisonment in the case. He has been lodged at the Nagpur central jail.

Talking to The FPJ, Gawli’s lawyer Mir Nagman Ali said, ‘‘With the petition, my client Arun Gawli is seeking his premature release on completion of his 14 years of sentence of imprisonment and 65 years of age as per the government policy of 1999 and 2006 that existed on the date of his conviction.” According to Ali, the State Government had on December 31, 1999, issued directions for release of prisoners who have completed the age of 65 years and undergone 14 years of life imprisonment. On January 10, 2006, the Home Department had further issued directions in the same regards.

Gawli’s plea read that as per his medical history, it was “clearly established that the petitioner is suffering from serious ailments” and that he is “weak and infirm”. It further said that “the petitioner’s wife” had preferred an application before the respondents seeking his premature release on the strength of the government orders and decisions pertaining to 1999 and 2006.

The plea stated that he was informed by the “Advisory Board” that his request for premature release was rejected. “However, the petitioner was not given the reason for rejection of his application,” read the plea. It said that Gawli had therefore applied under the Right To Information Act, seeking certified true copy of the decision taken by the Advisory Board. “However, the said information sought by the petitioner has not yet been supplied to the petitioner,” read the plea.

(Source: FPJ)

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Female Doctor At J J Hospital Attempts Suicide; Condition Stable, Investigation Underway

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Mumbai: Following the recent suicide of a doctor at J.J. Hospital who jumped from the Atal Setu, another female doctor from the same hospital attempted to take her own life in her hostel room on Thursday night. She was promptly given medical treatment, and her condition is currently stable.

The hospital administration, along with the Department of Medical Education and Research, has set up independent committees to investigate the incident. The doctor ingested an overdose of medication but was quickly admitted to the hospital by her colleagues, which helped save her life. Her parents in Uttar Pradesh have been informed about the situation.

The exact reasons behind her suicide attempt remain unclear. Dr. Ajay Bhandarwar, Dean of J J Hospital, stated that the findings of the two separate inquiry committees, one at the hospital and another by the Department of Medical Education and Research, will provide clarity once their reports are submitted.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad Booked For Obstructing Police Vehicle Outside Vidhan Sabha

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Mumbai: A complaint has been lodged against NCP(SP) leader Jitendra Awhad at the Marine Drive Police Station in Mumbai, following an altercation that occurred between the NCP leader’s supporters and BJP workers at the Maharashtra assembly complex, according to ANI reports.

The confrontation involving the backers of NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar followed a tense discussion between the two MLAs.

An official stated that the Mumbai police filed a case against Awhad for hindering public servants in performing their duties during a protest at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan. Both Padalkar and Awhad voiced their disappointment in the House regarding the altercation between their backers.

Vidhan Bhavan Fight

Thursday evening saw a confrontation between BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad’s workers in the Maharashtra Assembly, damaging its reputation. Speaker Rahul Narvekar addressed it, with Awhad citing death threats.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed frustration over the situation while distancing the Speaker’s comments from Awhad’s claims. The altercation, which began after Padalkar’s vehicle allegedly hit Awhad, escalated into violence. Fadnavis called for an investigation, while Uddhav Thackeray criticized the government’s inaction.

Maharashtra legislative assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar stated that the associates of the two MLAs, who were part of Thursday’s altercation and apprehended by the state legislature’s security, will confront a breach of privilege of the House.

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Maharashtra

Congress Alleges Ministers, Officials Caught In Honey Trap Scandal; Demands Probe In Maharashtra Assembly

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Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that several ministers and senior officials of the ruling Mahayuti government are involved in a honey trap scandal. On Thursday, Patole presented a pen drive as purported evidence in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, claiming it contained sensitive information exposing the scandal.

Speaking in the Assembly, Patole said, “More than 72 senior officials and some ministers have fallen victim to honey traps. Sensitive information is being extracted and handed over to anti-social elements. Some officials have even been blackmailed to the extent of contemplating suicide. Despite the seriousness of the issue, the government refuses to make even a basic statement on the matter.”

He further claimed that cities like Thane, Nashik, and Mumbai have become centers of these honey trap operations. “I don’t intend to tarnish anyone’s image, but the government is not taking this seriously. Important government documents are being leaked through these traps, and I urge the Speaker to issue directions,” Patole added.

The issue was echoed in the Legislative Council as well, where Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve reiterated the claims. Danve stated that information had emerged indicating the involvement of political leaders and senior officials in honey traps. He warned that such incidents posed a threat to administrative secrecy and the law and order situation in the state.

“During the Pahalgam attack, individuals involved in similar activities were caught by the central government. It is feared that confidential administrative information and key files have been leaked through these traps. Police have already begun inquiries in Thane and Nashik. This matter must be taken seriously from the standpoint of state security,” Danve said.

He also emphasized the possibility that some individuals might have gained administrative advantages through blackmail, urging the government to clarify its position and investigate the matter thoroughly.

On Wednesday, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad also raised concerns about the impact of the scandal on Nashik’s image. “It is unfortunate that Nashik, a city of rich heritage, is being associated with such cases. What kind of political culture are we promoting? People are stooping to shocking levels of immorality just to make money,” Awhad remarked.

While the state government has yet to make a formal statement, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde acknowledged the issue, stating that the government has taken note of the matter.

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