Thousands visit Dadgi Chawl to meet Arun Gawli after he was granted parole.
A journalist employed with a newspaper spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and said, “There are many like me who have a soft corner for the don. Many journalists went there to greet him and to interview him. But this time Daddy chose to remain low profile prior to his son’s wedding ceremony.”
After considering the impugned order passed by the Divisional Commissioner of Nagpur on April 23, which rejected Gawli’s application seeking parole for 30 days to enable him to attend his son’s wedding, the high court had granted him 15 days parole to be counted from the day he will be released.
The Mumbai Police is closely watching the movements of Arun Gawli. According to senior police officers, no “formal bandobast” was arranged for the Gawli wedding, but officers shared that they were “monitoring all activities”.
Police also said that officers from various crime branch units were roped in and traffic personnel too were kept in the loop to avoid any traffic snarl.
For a fortnight, until Gawli returns to Nagpur Central Jail, security arrangements have been made. Though the gangs that once tormented Mumbai are relatively dormant now, there is a possibility that the undercurrents of the underworld might resurface,” claimed a police officer.
Apart from uniformed police personnel, a marksman and police’s combat vehicle were stationed at the venue.
A team of officials from the Special Branch and the Crime Branch kept vigil at the venue to monitor the list of guests arriving at the wedding and maintain records of all the criminals who were present.
The underworld don turned politician would have to mark his attendance every second day in Agripada police station in Mumbai during his parole period, ordered the High Court. He will have to return to jail on May 21.