Nagpur, 03 Sep (HS): Gangster turned politician Arun Gawli, better known as 'Daddy', was released from Nagpur 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 Nagpur’s

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 conviction despite years of criminal

allegations. Over time, he made a shift into politics by founding the Akhil

Bharatiya Sena.

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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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar