Supreme Court Upholds Stay on Arun Gawli's Premature Release

The Supreme Court has extended its stay on the premature release of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, who is serving life imprisonment for murder. The High Court previously directed authorities to consider Gawli's release but the apex court emphasized the need for societal peace and deferred a final decision until November 20.

The Supreme Court has extended its prior order that stayed the premature release of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, currently serving a life sentence for murder. Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta reaffirmed the June 3 ruling, which stayed the Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench order dated April 5.

The Bombay High Court had instructed state authorities to review Gawli's application for premature release under the 2006 remission policy, but the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on the matter, citing societal peace concerns. While recognizing the rights of life imprisonment convicts to seek early release, the court highlighted the necessity for balanced justice.

Emphasizing the need for thorough consideration, the bench announced it would decide on Gawli's appeal on November 20. Despite Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan's argument that the 72-year-old Gawli has severe health issues and has been granted parole 15 times, the court underscored the unique nature of his case.

Referencing the Bollywood film 'Sholay', the bench remarked that Gawli's criminal record is substantial, with 46 cases including 10 murders. The Maharashtra government opposed his release, pointing out revised 2010 guidelines that prohibit premature release for organized crime convicts unless 40 years are served. The High Court initially gave authorities four weeks to comply with its order and later extended this by four more weeks upon the state's request.

Arun Gawli, convicted for the 2006 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar, claims adherence to the 2006 remission policy. However, the state deemed his request for early release as unjustified. Gawli, once a notorious gangster from Dagdi Chawl in Byculla and later a politician, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mumbai sessions court in 2012.

(With inputs from agencies.)