Arun Gawli's Release Sparks Speculation on Mumbai's Underworld and Politics

Arun Gawli, a prominent figure in Mumbai's underworld during the 1980s and 1990s, has been released after 17 years of incarceration. On Wednesday, he walked out of Nagpur Central Jail following the Supreme Court's grant of bail in the 2007 murder of corporator Kamlakar Jamsandhekar in Asalfa, Ghatkopar (W). Gawli was arrested under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and had challenged his conviction in the apex court after the Bombay High Court upheld his life sentence in December 2019.

The release of Gawli, who is popularly known as 'Daddy' by his supporters, has sparked speculation about his potential comeback in both the underworld and politics. The Supreme Court has set strict conditions for his bail, which may prevent him from officially engaging in 'bhaigiri' (gang activities). However, this does not preclude him from reasserting his influence through proxies.

Currently, there is a significant vacuum in Mumbai's underworld. Dawood Ibrahim, one of the most notorious dons, has relocated to Pakistan and is believed to be operating in tandem with the ISI. Chhota Rajan, another significant figure, is in Tihar Jail, Delhi, with health issues. Ashwin Naik is confined to a wheelchair after a stroke, and the Thakur gang is limited to the Vasai-Virar belt. This leaves a clear opening for Gawli to potentially fill.

Gawli, unlike other gangsters who moved to Dubai after a police crackdown, refused to leave Mumbai. He operated from Dagdi Chawl, a stronghold not far from Byculla railway station. Gawli has a history of opposing Dawood Ibrahim, whom he considered an anti-national. Gawli once rejected a compromise proposal from Dawood, stating, 'There was absolutely no question of any compromise with him.'

The real estate industry in Mumbai is currently experiencing an unprecedented boom, driven by massive redevelopment projects. In the past, no construction project in central Mumbai, including Lower Parel, could proceed without 'donations' to Gawli's gang. The redevelopment of defunct textile mills provided a rich harvest for Gawli. His return may lead to an increase in extortion threats in the real estate sector.

The release of Gawli coincides with the preparation for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) elections, which has an annual budget of over Rs 74,000 crores. Gawli's gang could influence the fortunes of candidates in at least 70 wards in central Mumbai. Gawli himself had previously floated a political party, Akhil Bharatiya Sena, and won the assembly elections from Chinchpokli constituency in 2004. It is not surprising if he fields his own candidates in the upcoming elections, potentially deciding the next mayor of Mumbai if there is a hung house.

In the past, the Shiv Sena, led by Bal Thackeray, openly supported Gawli, projecting him as a 'Hindu don.' However, the political landscape has changed, and the BJP, keen on installing its mayor, may work out a tacit understanding with Gawli.

Overall, the situation in Mumbai's dormant underworld and politics may witness significant changes following Gawli's return to Dagdi Chawl. This year's Navratri celebrations in Dagdi Chawl are expected to be the grandest ever staged.