Gawli gets bail in extortion case

The special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court on Friday granted bail to gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli in an extortion case.

The special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court on Friday granted bail to gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli in an extortion case.

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Gawli had allegedly threatened a city-based builder to cough up money. He was arrested in 2008 and booked under MCOCA in two cases — extortion case and murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandiker.

Though Gawli was granted bail he will remain in prison as hearing on his bail application in the Jamsandikar murder case is pending.

The crime branch had arrested Gawli and seven others for extorting money from a builder. The builder had allegedly paid the money to Gawli but later approached the police when Gawli demanded money again.

Police also said Gawli was allegedly extorting money from the builder from October 2005 to May 2006. Some accused had even taken the builder to the Dagdi chawl in Byculla where Gawli allegedly threatened him if he did not pay Rs 60 lakh.

Gawli in his bail plea told the court that three of eight arrested in the extortion case, including his brother Vijay Ahir, are out on bail and hence on the ground of parity even he should be granted bail.

The special MCOCA judge R.G. Awachat granted him bail on a surety of Rs 50, 000 in the extortion.