Supreme Court Releases Arun Gawli on Bail in Long-Pending Murder Case

The Supreme Court has decided to grant bail to Arun Gawli in connection with the 2007 murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar. Gawli, who transitioned from gangsterism to politics, was charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA). Justices M.M. Sunderesh and N. Kotishwar Singh considered the prolonged pendency of the case, which has been before the court for seventeen years and three months, in their decision. The final hearing will be held in February 2026. Earlier, the Supreme Court intervened in June 2024, staying the Bombay High Court’s order that would have granted Gawli early release. This stay was subsequently extended. Gawli contested the state’s rejection of his premature release, citing its unjust nature. The Maharashtra government opposed his petition for early release in the High Court. Although the High Court rejected the state’s arguments initially and gave authorities four weeks to act, the government sought additional time to appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court. The High Court provided additional time for implementation of the premature release order, with a caveat against future extensions. Gawli was arrested and tried in 2006 and sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2012 by a Mumbai Sessions Court for the murder of Jamsandekar.