Court rejects Gawli's plea

The special MCOCA court on friday rejected the application filed by gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli seeking permission to attend the Monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly.

The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court rejected the application accepting the prosecution's argument that the Chinchpokli MLA Gawli cannot be released from custody, as the investigations in the case against him is still going on.

Gawli was arrested in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandikar from suburban Ghatkopar and also in the case of demanding extortion from a city-based builder.

Gawli had last week filed the application seeking permission to attend the Monsoon session, which commenced on July 16.

Gawli in his application had stated that his attendance in the assembly session is necessary as he is an elected member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly representing his party, Akhil Bhartiya Sena.

Gawli and 13 others are currently in judicial custody.